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A. 



THE DIARY 

OF 

MATTHEW PATTEN 

Of Bedford, N. H. 



From Seventeen Hundred Fifty-four to 
Seventeen Hundred Eighty-eight 



PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN 



CONCORD, N. H. 

THE RUMFORD printing COMPANY 

1903 



&3P^ 









MATTHEW PATTEN'S DIARY 



Oue of the early settlers in Bedford was Matthew Patten, who was born 
in Ireland, May 19, 1719, and moved to this country in 1728. He came to 
Soiihegan-East in 1738 ; was judge of probate in this county, being ap- 
pointed to that office in 1776. He represented the towns of Bedford and 
Merrimack in the general court in 1776 and 1777 ; was one of the governor's 
council in 1778 ; was appointed justice of the peace about 1751, and con- 
tinued in that office until his death, August 37, 1795. He died in a field 
near the south part of the town. The men were mowing, and he went to 
carry them their dinner. Being somewhat fatigued, he sat down under a 

where in a short time he was found dead. y> , ., 

He had always kept a diary. After his death, this remained in the pos- " 
session of his daughters, Sarah and Polly Patten. They gave it to Dr. 
Peter P. Woodbury about the year 1850, or rather they gave to him that 
portion of the diary which then remained, for the earlier pages from its 
beginning down to about 1754 had been lost. Dr. Woodbury preserved 
this diary until his death in 1860, when it continued in the possession of 
his family until the present time. Its merits were so much appreciated 
by the town, as a record of its earliest settlement, that the sum of $500 
was appropriated for its publication, and the comraittee who were charged 
^vith the publication of the town's history were entrusted with the duty of 
piiblishing this diary. 

The diary was written upon pages of white writing paper, six inches 
long by three and a half inches wide, and in so fine a hand that upon some 
of them more than four hundred words are to be found. The leaves were 
folded, three sheets within another, making sixteen pages to a "book." 
At the top of the first page of each of these books was written : "A Day 
Book continued. Etc.," which will explain the regular recurrence of that 
expression throughout the foUoAving print. All these sixteen-page books 
are skilfully bound together with strong linen thread, natural color. The 
writing is remarkably well preserved and legible, considering its fineness. 



y 



Copy of Matthew Patten's Diary 



(1754) 

18"^ Finished niakeiiig sashes being 133 squares 

19*'^ Made a book ciibbard a ^ 

20"^ Went to Londonderry to decide the controversie between Tho" Hall 
and Joshua FoUensbe but was disappointed by reason of Lieut not Conieing 

2P' Was at James and John Andersons and Tarried all night 

22'^ went to Joseph Kidders and got three bushells of Malt and was 
obliged to leave }'2 bushel of ground malt because the bag would not hold it 

24"^ sold my houseing and houlding for seventy five pounds brot 

3 hundred and ^^ inches of pine staves and had it hauled up to the 

Rodgers 

Mr Kennedy Came with a Dun and I gave up mine 

away 

JULY 

I made a smoothing plain for John and a fore plain for Rob* 

Walker 

Benj" Linkfield and I workt with William Barnet 

Went to Capt Gofies to arbitrate between Tho" Hall and Joshua Folensbe 

Benj" Linkfield and my oxn workt at the highway with Will'" Barnet 

5th Concluded on a judgment but did not Draw it in writing for the 
Court was to meet again to do it but no time appointed to do it nor place 

6"^ Got over a stock of white pine boards over Merrymac river from 
Cap' Goffes mill measuring 520 feet and brought 4 boards home 

7"^ heard Mr Butler preach at Mr in Derryfield in the forenoon 

he preached from John 14 and (i and in the afternoon From Matth" (> & 
33 verse 

8*'^ set out for Haverhill to bring salt and Lodged with Mr Wi]^ 

in Haverhill John Goffe Jun"^ that day which was O £ 



9*'' set out home with 2)2 5 pair of brass Hinges 2 bush 14 

fish Hooks pd Mr Will"' — of Loiderry 1-11-0 I owed him for I 

had of him last year and reed of Cap* Goffe Old Tenor on the &"' day 

10"' lay all day being 

11"' Gave Benj" Yickery Elias Dickey for a syth 

15"' Took 4 bushel of rie to mill and went along with David burns to 

'These omissions are due to torn maauscript, or being so badly worn as to be 
illegible. 



b MATTHEW PATTEN S DIARY. 

show him the third Division no one John B and Francis Dimond 

being in company and Found about Two Thousand of shingles made on it 
and they helped me biindle them up and DiuKjnd Came with his oxon to 
hauU them away biit was Disappointed by W'" Howard who made them 
agreeing to pay 3 pound Old Tenor in September next 

(1754) 

16"^ Took a Note from William Howard for three pound old Tenor to be 
paid me 15th of next Sept' 

IS*" Lent Will'" Holms six treas fiill of Rie 

20"^ Mary Linn went home 

2i6t ]V£r MacGregore preached in Bedford on the 1(55 verse of ye 11!) 
Psalm and Baptized our third cliild named Matthew 

22 & 23'' Benj'^ Linkfield and I workt at Jerret Rowans 

Clapboards and 

25*'' Sold My Gun to Sam" Martain for twenty pounds New Tenor on 
Demand with interest till paid and got John Maclaughlin Gun on Tryal 

26"' Sent Benj" Linkfield to L: Derry to Fetch my Grindston and to 
Mrs Cochrane to get something for suses toe and Got a poltice and some 
salve and brought home the Grindstone and I went along with Cap' Goffe 
to run the lines of Cap' Parkers lot No 7 in the 11 Rang and was more 
than half a day 

28"' Mr Houstoue Pi'eached in Bedford From the 14th Verse of the 25th 
Psalm The servant of tlie Lord is with them that fear him and he will 
shew them his Covenants 

29"' W'" Moors boy Took away a table I had made f(ir him of which he 
had paid twenty shillings before 

30"' my wife and I went to Londonderry to see her mother who fell the 
sabath before and Disjoynted her wrist of her left hand and Changed an 
Eight pound bill at Cap' Goffes and paid 3-11-8 for Cap' Goffes and John 
Goifes and a bole of rum I had when my Brother and I took loges to the 
river and a jill of rum this day 

AUGUST FIRST 

Returned home again and Will'" Rodger Eight shillings for hauling on 
white pine Log from the river to the Mill had Jerret Rowan and his wife 
and Smith Kennedy Juu'' wife helping me reap rie 

2'' Had the same hands helping me reap and Finish had 29 stooks 

3'' Got in my rie and Finished pooling Flax 

4"' Mr McClintock preached in Bedford from Colocians 3 & 3 — For ye 
and Dead and your life is hid with Christ in God 

6"' reed eight pounds one shilling and ten pence half penny from John 
Quig and the intrest Due on it and of the payments made last on the bond 
and paid Mary Linn eight pound and sent eight pound along with John 
Quig to Rhod Island to Change for New Hamp'' money and sent Benj" 
Linkfield to Moors with Four bushel of Rie 

7"' I went and fetched the meal home from james Moors 

8"' Robert Walker paid me for a fore plain and paid me three shillings 
over 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 7 

11"! Mr Butler preached in Derryfield at Mr Stevens Barn From Isaiah 
the 61 and 2'': — To Proclaim tlie acceptable year of y Lord and the day of 
Vengeance of onr God to Comfort all that Moiuni 

12*'' paid W" Thompson for his wifes weaving 4 £ 

13*'! Andi-ew Walker Gave me six pound old Tenor to give Ganin Riddel 
and alowed me to pay him six shillings more on his accoimt and Finished 
an oval Table for my Brother sam''^ wife 

Ifi"' Began to mow my Meadow 

18"' Mr Houston Preaclied in Bedford from the 3^' Chapter of y" first 
Epistle General of John and the Former part of y"^ 23'' Verse 

2P' Paid Francis Barnet 7 £ old Tenor being eleven shillings more than 
I owed him for makeing shoes 

26"> went to Lichfield and got 1>2 bushels Indian corn from sam" Gibson 
on account of what he owed me and Got a half bushel at Harvill and paid 
him Fifteen shillings for it paid him for one Night Entertainment I had 
there in the spring before or last spring 

27"* had a tooth pulled out Lieu' Barron 

2S"* Paid James Kennedy six pound and being all I owed him except six 
shillings more 

29"! had my Gun New BiTSs't & a new worm From sam" Woods 

30"> Drew a bill of sale of David Smiths goods to sam" Vose From John 
Smith his Father and Got a hay Fork and ring from James Kennedy 

3lst Went to Cap' Goffes and signed our Judgement concerning Tho" 
Hall and Joshua Follensbe 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

Mr. Houston Lectured in the forenoon on the first 9 verses of the 5"' 
Chapter of Matthew and Preached in the afternoon From the eighteenth 
Verse of the Fourth Chapter of the First Epistle of John 

S'i I had my mar shod with James Kennedy he found two new shoes and 
Got a Quart of Rum from Cap' Goff'e and paid Fifteen shillings for it and 
Finished mowing my meadow 

5"' Got Five cocks of hay in that I cut at David Smiths yard and Benj" 
Linkfield and I went up to Jerret Rowans and helped about Bolting Clap- 
boards stuff: Bandied up some shingles in order to Draw away on the next 
morning and Benj" stayed all night 

6"! went away to Chester to Fetch home two Calf skins I had Curried 
there and Took a Cow hide that Lieu' Barron Tanned — it weighed 9^4 to 
Mr Roby in Chester to be Curried & Brought my Calfs skins but had not 
Change to pay for them the coast of Currieing was Fifteen shillings and 
was paid to the Currier by Cap' Talford 

8"' Mr McClintock preached in Bedford From Hebrews y^' 4"' and 16 

9"' Surveyed 2()50 feet of Boards for John Bell Jun"- from Eleazar Wells 
Took more than half a day and peiced the stock of gun for James Boyes 
Juu"' of Londonderry and Charged Twelve shillings and he paid me Eigh- 
teen pence toward it 

12"' Finished stocking a gun for John Anderson Jun'' of Londonderry 
and Charged him Three pounds Five shillijigs old Tenor for it 



8 MATTHEW PATTEN S DTAKY. 

15"^ Mr McClintock Discoursed From the Fii-st 13 verses in the 25"> 
Chapter of Math^^'- Gospel Being the parable of the Ten Virgins and made 
ten observations from it 

16"^ Benj" Linkfield Thrashed Rie and I Began to make a Fram for Mrs 
Chandlers lookingGlass 

17th Finished the lookingglass Fram and benj" Linkfield went to Lon- 
donderry to see the training and to Fetch from Widow Greggs one Bar of 
Iron one set of Cart Boxes and two Grave stones for my Fathers Grave 
and sent 3 £ to pay for the Carting and to buy 3 pounds of Lead 

18"' Benj" Linkfield came home and brought home one barr of iron one 
set of Cart Boxes and two Grave Stones and he paid Widow Gregg l"'-15''-0'i 
for the Carting from Haverhil and a grindstone 

IQt" James Kennedy mended the hook of Colter that goes into the Shear 
and Benj" began to plough to sow rie 

20tii went to Alex'' McMurphys mill and got Four Bushels of new rie 
ground 

2P' Got James Linn to kill a heifer which weighed 340 beaf and 43 hide 
10 3-4 of Talow and sold James Kennedy 26 £ of beaf at 1/6 shilling per £ 
and sold Will'" Holms 29 £ of beaf a Ditto 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED AND 



NOVEMBER 18"' Gathered together W"' Barrs John Bells Richard Mac- 
alesters and Jerret Rowans oxen and Rowan himself in Order to break up 
and it proved a rainy day that we Could not 

19"' Did break up and had John Bells and Jei-ret Rowans Richard INIac- 
alester Will'" Pettersons and Matthe"' Littles oxen and Rowan and John 
Parker helping me and had Will'" Holms Plow and Let Richard Macaleaster 
have 2"'-5**-6'' old Tenor on Rowans account and went to Will"' Moors and 
2 Quarts of Herds grass seed and all the Red Top seed he had and is to give 
him 2'i'-l>-0^ for the Red Top seed and one sheep skin of him and took a 
bond of Andrew Bradfords for 30 £ 

20"' broke up and had all the oxen I had the day before but John Bells 
and had my Brothers in their room and my Brothers boy & his plow broke 
a chain of Rowans and Got a new Link put in its room 

25"' went to Miller Moors and got 2 bushels of Indian and IK, of wheat 
ground and went and showed Robert Neasmith n" one a Third Division 

26"' went a hunting a killed Two Bucks and lay at Will"' Macdowells 

27"' Hunted all day but got nothing and sold u" one to Rob' Neasmith 
For Two Hundred Pounds old Tenor and gave him a deed and Took his 
and John Thomas^ Bond for the money to be paid April P' 1755 

28"' Being Thanksgiving 

30"' Hunted and Catched a Sable 

DECEMBER FIRST 

Mr Houston Preached in Bedford From Epheseans the second and first 
verse 

2'^ Killed my Hoggs which weighed 411 £ 
3<i set out for Boston 
7"' returned home again 



MATTHEW I'ATTEX'S DIARY:. 9 

10"^ reed 66 £ silver inouey and 4 lbs paper money and 0-5-7 silver From 
Rob' Neasmith beini? 101) lbs old Tenor Dollars at 3-5-0 and struck oft" the 
lutrest from the R'auainder of his Bond till the 32'' of July 

16 went to Gan Riddels and Got a tree for sledge sides and Rowan 
Drawed into the mill 

17th ^yent and sawed three sides 

19"^ Rob' Willson of Boston was at my house and Gave me power of 
attorney to sell Joseph Linns Right in Bedford and set up Advertise- 
ments for that end 

20'^ paid Lieu' Barron 8-0-0 old Tenor and went & Divided 12 acres of 
Richard Macallesters mill lot to his son Archibald 

23'''' went to Litchfield and Merrymac and altered the Advertisements 
for ye sale of Linns Land From W" Holms to John Goffe Esq'' at Two of 
the Clock Afternoon 

24"^ went to James Karrs and brought my steel Trap to Francis Bar- 
netts & Bought Two Sable skins from Noah Kidder and Company For 2 
£ silver and paid Jotham Tuttle 1-12-6 in silver & 7V6 (he owed me by 
the remainder of silver Buckles and writing a Deed being 11^ of our old 
Tenor) For Two Rackoon skins 

25"^ I Fixt in a gun lock for Rob' Giftin and Charged 5V and made a side 
to my timber sledge and John Burns Jun'' Brought a Gun of John Kar- 
sons to be stocked 

26"^ went to Merrj-mac to Divide Joel Dixs estate but was misput by 
reason Cap' Chamerlin would not come And AVill'" Read promised to pay 
the one half of my wages and James Gillmor and Peter Rusel the other 
half and made a squar for John Bell and Charged Ten Shillings 

27"' Let Benj" Smith have 5"'-4'^-0'' New Hampshire money 

30"' Finished makeing a wood sledge 

3P' went to Francis Barnetts and got the remainder of my sole Leather 
and upper Leather and Carried it to Noah Thayers to Get a pair of shoes 
made for Cutting and John 

On the 30"' ^^^.•it Two Deeds and Two Bonds for Richard Macallester and 
Charged 1-0-0 Old Tenor 

JANUARY FIRST 1755 

Finished stocking of a Gun for Rob' Mack 

3'' Noah Thayer brought John a pair of pumps and Benj" went with 
oiir Oxen and sledge to the Great Meadow and Got the load as far as John 
Bells and he and the oxen went home with Thayer and took the load hom 
the next morning and I went to Miller Moors and Got Two Bushel of 
Indian Corn and Two Bushel of Turkey wheat Ground 

4"' went to Maj"" Goft'es and got IK bushells of Rie ground 

6"' Katrine Little Came to spin at our house and I bought Two sable 
skins from John Little and paid him 2-0-6 silver money for them and 
Benj" went to the Great Meadows for liay for noah Thayer with the oxen 
and UK'ar 

7"' Benj" went to y^' Great Meadow and Katrine Little went away at 
noon to see her father who had broke his arm and bought Three sable 
skins from Tho" Miller and gave him 2-7-0 silver for them. 



10 



I 

J 

MATTHEW patten's DIAIIY. 



S^^ Peiced a stock of a Guu for Will'" Mack aii'l Charged Mm 1-0-0 
which he paid 

9"^ Swaped Biikles ^vith W" Mack aud was to have 3-10-0 to Boot 
2-0-0 of which he paid me and weut to Litchfield aud boiight 8:0:0 
pounds worth of coru aud brought away 41.2 bushels at 1-0-0 p'' bushel 
aud bought oue fox skiu & oue rackoou skiu from Beuj" Blodget sou aud 
gave him 1-13-9 silver for them 

IQth "weut to Litchfield aud brought away SH Bushels of Indian corn 
aud Will'" Read being the remainder of the 8-0-0 worth I bought of him 
aud bought Two Fox skins and a Rackoou skin from James Underwood 
for l^o dollar 

11*1' Brought home 21 yds of cloath from Mary Burns aud killed Two 
yearling Biicks 

13*'> sent a pair of Two year old Stears to Johu Smirlis in New Boston 
(and a yearling Heifer to his father Macueal to winter out) by Rob* Coch- 
rane and M^ Will'" Staineal 

14*'' -went to Litchfield to buy corn but Got none aud boiight a Gray 
Fox skin from Sam" Moor and Gave 15V for it and swaped horses with 
Sam" Boyes and and Gave 1 £ to boot and released W'" Mack of his 
Buckles aud he Gave me 10*/ 

15th -^eut. along ^^-ith Will"' Holms to Justice Goffes to speak to a case 
he had with Sam" Sinkler but Sinkler was Defaulted and Benj" and oxen 
helped Rob' Holms ro Draw logs 

16"' Benj" & oxen helped Rob' Holms to Draw logs and I hunted and 
bought two sable skins from page aud kidder 

17"> Hunted and Broke a Bucks leg and sold Two steel Traps to Tho* 
Kennedy for 5 red Fox skins three of which he promised to pay me Do'wn 
and the other two this winter if he Catched 3 more & had a sable skin 
from Noah Thayer 

IS"' Catched the Buck that I had leg Brok the day before aud reed by 
John Moor a sable skin I had bought of James Mauneley on the 10"' iust 

19"' ]Mr jNIcClintock Lectui-ed in the Forenoon on Fu-st 5 verses of the 
First Chapter of Johns Gospel and preached in the afternoon on the 12"' 
Chapter of Eccliasties First verse 

2P' went to IMaj'' Goffes and Yeudued The Third Division lot belonging 
to Joseph Linus Right in Bedford to James Matthues for SV6*i p^ acre and 
adjotu-ned the vendue till the Tuesday the Foiirth day of Feb'J" uext at 
Two of the Clock in the Afternoon to Maj"^ Goffes & bought a gray fox 
skin from Sam" Killpatrick and James Wallace for 5V silver 

22'' went to Maj"^ Goffes and sawed two sticks of Cherry tree which 
made 4 plank and two boards and one maple log which made Three 
planks and two Boards and had ^o a mug of Flip and one Jill of Rum 

25"' Lent Dr Thornton 33 £ peice of gold and took his Note of hand for 
it on Demand aud James ^Macdugal brought me 7 £ of wool and one paper 
of ink powder which amounted to 2-15-(5 for which he reed a peice of gold 
33 £ old Tenor 

27"' had a steaple and ring mended by James Kennedy and reed a steel 
Trap From John Worthley and Took a note from him for as much Beaver 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 11 

as to make a hat on Demand for y"-' use of it for 4 Season being but half 
hire 

28*'^ Got a pair of shoes which sam" Petterson made me he found Thread 
and had the Leather from Matth'^' Little the upper Leather he owed me 
and the sole Leather I Borrowed from him and mj^ wife and I went to her 
Fathers 

29"^ I came home again and got 2^^ Gallon of Molasses from Cap' Mitch- 
els wife a 28V p' Gallon and Cleared out of Major Goff es for hoiise Expences 
Left 16V6'' in his hands 

30"> went to Merrymac to hear the Counterfitt money Money makers 
Tryal Tarryed over night at Widow Parkers 

.SI"*' Came to Cap' Cumings and reed a Deputation to apprehend some 
others suspected set out with Rob' Ushar W" Thorton W" Holms John 
Quig and sam' Patten and rid from a little after the moonrise all night 
and all the First day of February being Saterday 

FEBRUARY 

2'^ Mr McClintock Lectured on the 13"' & 14 verses of the First Chapter 
of Johns Gospel and preached in the afternoon on the fifteen th verse of 
the 7"' Chapter of y^' 2 Epistle to the Corinthians 

3"^ set out after midnight with Thomas McLaughlin and John Little to 
summon Aaron Quimby but mist of it he being obsconded summoned on 
Sabbath day John Stark John Quig Benj" Smith & W'" Moor to appear on 
Monday and somoned Nash and Caleb Eiuery Juu"" on Monday to appear 
Before Joseph Blanchard Esq"" 

4"' set out for merrymac rid all night and apprehended sam" Barnett 
and Rob' Giffin and David MacNight and summoned John Burns W"' 
Thornton James Wallace and had John Wason Andrew Bixby and sani'^ 
Patten and Joseph Thomas assistance 

8"^ attended on the aflfaii* of the counterfitt Money and gave in my 
aCcount to Mr. Parker to Carrie to Court 

10"' went Hugh Ridels to get him to Come to Maj"" Goffe to Draw writ- 
ings with Tho** Bigsby & John Bell about the meeting house for 130 £ old 
Tenor 

11"' Bargained with them and Drew the writings and Stayed at Gott'es 
all night 

12"' Came home and went in the afternoon and cut a red oak tree on Dr 
Millers Lot for slit work 

13"' went to Deacon Boies and became Dr to him for Five Pound on 
James Kennedys aCcount and Gave my note of hand as surety with 
James Kennedy for 33 £ old Tenor and sawed the red oak tree in cuts of 8 
feet long and let Jarret Rowan have Two bushel of Rie and one he had 
Before when John Quigs Barn was Frameing was all His Demand for him 
and his wife reaping for me last summer 

14"' went & halF in the red oak Log I cut the day Before and brought 
home 6 Boards from Macalesters mill and 3 slips sawed out of a slab 

15"' had my horse shoes sharpened and set by James Kennedy and 
Bought 3 sable skins for 2-18-0 one red fox skin for 1-0-0 one rackoon 



/ 



12 Mx\TTHEW I'ATTEX'S DIARY. 

skin for 15 V and one Black cats skin for 1-15-0 and a wild cats skin to 
CaiTie to sell from John Worthley 

16"^ Mr Houston Lectured in Bedford in the Forenoon from 1 of the 
song and the first 5 verses and preached in the afternoon from the 25"^ 
chapter of Isaiah and and the 4 verse (a Cover from the Tempest) 

17"^ paid John Worthly 6-10-0 being 2V toward the wild cats skin over 
the rest of the fur & James Kennedy brought his Gun to be stocked and 
■writ a Letter to Mr Rob' Willson and sent for }s of a hundred of Shiigar 
and J^ y'l spoted yarn by Hannah Barnett to Boston for which I gave her 
2 Dollars and set out -with Cap' Chaniberlin and went to Golf es and Starks 
ToAvn to apprehend Counterfitt Money makers travelled all night and got 
to MonterLoney by morning 

18"^ he apprehended Ephr"^ Martain and summoned Daniel and John 
Martain and I parted with Cap' Chaniberlin at Tho*^ Halls and I went to 
James Karrs and Got 2 sable skins from Praish Richardsons and Borrowed 
2 £ from AV" Read of Hamps'' money to give him 

19"* & 20"* Hunted but Got nothing and bought 2 sable skins from 
Fasett for 35V silver and reC' 2 Red fox skins from Tho'* Kennedy on the 
aCcount of the Traps I sold him 

22'i Had Will'" Holms & Will"' Petersons oxen helping me Haul Logs to 
the river and got 4 yelow pine logs and one white pine 

23'i Mr. Houston Preached in Bedford From the 8 of the Pi-ophesy of 
Isaiah and 7"' verse 

• 24"* Bought 2 sable skins and Three Musf(iuash From John Mash raid 
Gave him a Dollar for them 

25"* was Training in Bedford and Barron reed a Cap' Commission and 
John Moore Lieu' and John Goffe Ensign and I paid James Karr 1-15-0 
for Faset for two sable skins I had of him and paid Daniel Kendel 2-0-0 
New Hanip' money for Will'" Read which I Borrowed of s'' Read at Tho'' 
Halls to give to Parish Richardson 

26"* Sold a Buck skin to Joseph Thomas for 12 £ old Tenor and a Fawn 
skin for 3 £ to be paid in one month 

MARCH 

2*1 Mr Houston Lectured in Bedford in the forenoon on the Fu-st of the 
Song and on the 5 6 7 8 9 verses and preached in the afternoon From the 
7"^ of 2d Corinthians and 10 verse 

3^ Bought a sable skin from Cap' Bushnell and paid the money and got 
^<2 a Quire of paper from James Macdugall and James Kennedy had my 
Horse to Litchfield for Corn and to Miller Moors mill 

7"* Took a note of Joshua Martains for my two Traps and chains and 
three pounds of Beaver for the Loan of them 

8"* Finished stocking noah Thayers gun Carryed 8 Knots to Charles 
Kinersons To be turned into Dishes and Bought 3 sable skins from Cap* 
Perham and 4 Mink skins from his son for 2 £ silver money and one mink 
skin from James Peters and Benj" Kidder for 15^/ oui- money and endorsed 
the Back of the ^^Tit For Maj'^ Goffe to fill up to seize Sani'^ Martains Cow 
at Cap' Perhams 



• MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 13 

9"» Mr MacClintock Lectured in Bedford From the Fii\st of Johns Gos- 
pel and the 15-16-17 & 18"^ verses and Preached in the afternoon From the 
7th Qf 2<i Corinthians and the 10^'' verse 

10"' Let Joshua Martain have my two Traps and James Kennedj^ made 
me two Chains one of 4 feet and 4 inches and the other of 4 Feet and 8 
inches Long and James Macdngall broiight me a thu-ty three pound peice 
of gold out of which he owed me 30-4-6 but I could not give him his chang 

14tii Dj. Thornton paid me 11 Dollars and a pistol which he Bon-owed of 
me in January last on tlie 25"' day and Finished stocking of James Kenne- 
dys Gun 

17*'' went to Londonderry and Got a Cow Delivered to me by Nathaniel 
Martain for his brother Sam" and gave him his Brothers note & I was to 
pay the Cows keeping at Cap' Perhams and John Moor had my oxen 

IS"' Reed 8 Dollars From Rob* MacMurphy for to buy Cloath for a Coat 
and jackoat for James MacCurdy and Came home again and Gillmor had 
my oxen 

On the 13"! I paid Gan Riddel 1-4-0 old Tenor and 1-8-0 was offset by 
Noah Thayer Cleared him of Andrew Walkers money being 13V of my own 
which advanced 

19"' Charles Emerson Brought me home 11 Dishes he Tiu-nod for me 
and he Charged me 2-0-0 four shillings of which I had paid him before 
and went and got 3 knots up at Gan Riddels And our youngest Child was 
Taken sick a little before night very bad he Continued till Thursday about 
the middle of the afternoon and then Departed this Life He was thirteen 
months and 20 days old 

20*'' as above our Child Departed and before he Died I went to Charles 
Emersons with the three Knots I got the day before and Got a Cow from 
Cap* Perham which he had in Keeping for Samuel Martain and Gave him 
Sam" Martains order & became Dr to Cap* Perham 1-10-0 old Tenor for 
her keeping and bought 9 sable skins & one black cat skin from Jacob 
Jewel for 10 £/ on of the sable skins he was to bring to Mr Peters for me 

2P* Borrowed 4 Gallon and }.^ a pint of Rum of Maj'' Golfe and Interred 
the body of the Child at Three of the Clock afternoon John Little made 
the Coffin 

22'! paid Maj"" Goffe 1 gallon and 1 quai't & 1 pint of rum of the day 
befores borrowing 

26*'' was our annual town meeting I was chose surveyor of Timber and 
the meeting was adjourned to Saterday the 29*'' 

28*'' was our General Fast 

29*'' was Chose Town Clerk and the Town voted to give me 6 £/ old 
Tenor for what I should record for the town this year and was to find me 
paper to write the minut of the town on 

30*'' our son John was taken very bad in y^ forenoon so that we almost 
Dispaired of his life he was easier in the afternoon by Giving him Cham- 
ber Lie and Molassess sweet oyl and neatsfoot oyl 

SI'** he was easy in the morning but was taken bad again about Nine or 
Ten of the Clock in the forenoon and Complained of his being like to 
Choak and Continued very bad till the moon riseing which was 30 minuts 



14 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. , 

after 10 at night and then he got easyer and slept till morning I had to get 
up after the moon riseing but once till morning 

APRIL FIRST 

John Smith swingled Flax for me one day Benj" Broak Flax for him 
2'i he swingled by the £ and did 24 £ and Benj" did 9 £ 
8<i he and benj" Finished swingling Smith 16 1„ £ with wliat he swin- 
gled the day before amounted to -iOH £ he did by the % and Benj" swin- 
gled 6^-2 £ the whole of what flax we had this year was 85?^' £ 

CONTINUED FROM THE PRECEDING BOOK, APRIL 8'^ 1755 

went to Londonderry to Give in my account to the Executors of Elias 
Dickeys estate and Lodged at Samuel Dickeys 

4th -^vent to Alex''"' Walkers and Bought isof an ounce of Silk for 15V 
and ^ of a y'^ of Buckrum at 1BV6'^ and paid the money & went to Cap* 
Mitchells and 15 mettle butts at 15V and 2 large ones a 3V4'' and 3 scanes 
of mohair a 15V and paid him 1 £ and remains due to him 13V-1^^ yet to be 
paid went to my father in laws and they gave me 1 ^4 bushel of Peas and 
Came to Elias Dickeys and bought several articles and Lodged there all 
night and paid SV for my Entertainment 

On the 3'i I bought 7 sable skins and one mink skin and one red Fox 
skin from Will"' Read for 8iV15^ and paid him 9 £ 

5^^ Came home again and received a sliovel from Mr Peter Rusell a Gift 
in leiu of last I had made him and went to a training at widow Chandlers 
and Gave up Benj" Linkfields Indenture 

6"! Mr McClintock Lectured in Bedford From the 19"' to the 29"' verses 
of the first Chap' of Jolins Gospel and preached in the afternoon from the 
7"' of second Corinth"* and 10"' verse 

7"' Apprised John Macdugalls estate 

8"' Borrowed one Quart of rum of Mr Goffe and reed a sable skin from 
Mrs Peters on Jacob Jewel that I paid him for before 

9"^ Bought No one in the 2'' Rang on the north side of Piscataquog river 
in Goffs town from James MacGregore for 150 £ old Tenor and lent W"' 
Holms Two Dollars and James Milltimber and 4 more Tailors with him a 
little before night 

10"' They finished a fly-coat and jacoat and a pah- of Leather Britches 
and they charged 5-5-0 

11"' went to Merrymac to run round Rodger MacNights lot 

12"' w^ent to Hugh Riddels to Divide a lott of Land between him and 
James Aiken and Did then- ^\Titings and Mesured 17)^ Tun of white oak 
Timber for Robert Gillmore and 17 Tun and 15 feet of white oak timber 
for Lieu' Moor and Will'" Holms Gave me the 2 Dollars all but 20 shillings 

14"' James Kennedy made a new shoe for my Horse and set it and Hugh 
Riddel and James Aiken Came and finished tlieir ^\Titings and paid me 
40V foi' my pains and gave a letter from Rob' Willson and order of Court 
for the sale of Joseph Linns estate in Bedford and sold a Buckskin to John 
Macdugall for 10"VU> and reed the money one 5 £ of Rhod Island and a 4 
£ and a SO'' of New Hamp'^ 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 15 

15"^ Set out for Newbury and Lodged at Haverhill 

16"^ Set out and arived at Newbury and Sold as niucli sale Furr to Mr 
Carter as I took 71 £ in dollars 

17''' Set out for Boston and sold (5 rackoon skins to Hat'' Lord for 7"'/10^ 

22'' Arived home in the evening- 

23"^' Bought one sable skin from John Mash and Gave him 1 £ for it and 
he returned me a peistreen I had given him before which amounted to 
13V<i'' and I Gave him I'l'-fi^-O^' and there remained due to him 7-() 

25"' set out for Litchfield to get 12 bushel of Corn from Mr. Peter Rusell 
but got none but gave him 8-10-0 for 4 bushel of Corn and 2 of rie and got 
1}4 bushel of Oats from Sam" Gibson for what he owed me in the remain- 
der of stocking a Gun for him 

28"' Avrit a lease for John Mclaughlin Jun"" and Benj" Linkfield and Benj" 
paid me and John Mclaughlin is yet to pay and charged him lO'* 

29"' Sam" Peterson had eight pair of heels a 10''/ pr pan- silver money and 
I went to Litchfield and got 4 bushel of Indian corn and 2 bushels of Rie 
from Lieut Rusel which I had paid him for on the 25"' and Lodged with 
him all night and Bought an Otter skin from James Gillmoor for 50** and 
Gave him a Dollar and S"* was in Will'" Read hand which he promised to 
take as pay 

80"' Got four bushel of Indian corn Ground into meal and l)ought the 
Toal from James Moor but Could not pay him for want of Chang the Toal 
came to 6/3 old Tenor and paid James Macdugal 55V6'' silver which he 
overpaid me in a peice of gold of 33£ also and gave John smith One dol- 
lar and 5 £ in paper money for 4 bushell of Indian corn and for 40« I owed 
him for singling Flax and the remainder he promised to return as soon 
as he Got Change 

MAY FIRST 

Sowed some peas and Oats and Wheat and reed 3 £ old Tenor from Sami^ 
Paterson 

3'' let Mashs wife of Wiers town have a peck Flax seed 

5"' went to Litchfield and vendued Mr John Rickeys place in London- 
derry for the Revd Mr. Parker and widow Parker and reed ^o Dollar and 
40V for my pains old Tenor 

6"' returned home again and Got 4 bushel of rie gi-ound into meal at 
James Moors and Got the Toal for pay and could not pay it by reason of 
the want of change the Toal cam to S^-B'' old Tenor 

8"' Fetched home 416 £ of hay from Lieu' Moors and paid my brother 
Sam" 3-1-0 and there remains due 10V6'' more and Got ^2 ^ bushel of Po- 
tatoes from James Walker and Sam" Paterson soled a pair of shoes for me 

9"' sowed my Barley 

12"' James Kennedy mended my plow Irons and made two plates for a 
plow and Charged one pound for the whole Job and John Worthly paid me 
4-10-0 on aCcount of the loan of Steel Traps and Discounted with him for 
a wild Cats skin and there remains Due to me 3-15-0 and Jerret Rowan had 
}/2 a bushel of Flax seed from me 

13"' Sam" Patterson came to me to make shoes and the sole leather that 



16 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

I had of Cap' Barron -Nvliicli he Tauuad for me of my own hide weighed 
16 £ 

15"' I had one Hundred of hay of Lieu' Moor and some Rob' gave me and 
had one bushel of Potatoes of Rob* Gilmoor and went to James Littles baru 
raising in the afternoon where I had the Melancholy sight to see John 
Patterson Killed by one of the beams (viz) the one Next to the floor on the 
last side the North end of it slipt from the first gurt and took him along 
with it to the Ground and fell Direct on his head which ended his life so 
that he never breathed the blood ran fast at his ears and mouth and Nose 
Lieu' Moore opened a vein in his arm bu t it was no pm-pose to recover him 

16"^ Had Rob' Gilmore and his sou John and his oxen and Rob' Badger 
& Sam^i Pattens oxen helping me in y" Forenoon ploughing for me and 
went to John Pattersons Funeral and writ a warrant for a town meeting 
to be held June 5 17oo and let John Moor have 3 sheets of paper for the 
selectmen 

17"' John and James Moor plowed for me in the forenoon with their 
fathers oxen and horse 

IH"' Furrowed my land for planting 

2;)"' had Daniel and Margaret Quig and Robert and John Smith helping 
me plant Corn and potoes and John Quig and Hugh Macguines about 3^< 
hours and Night helping me Finish 

2P' sowed my Flax seed and went to Maj' Goffes and vended Three lots 
of Land belonging to the right of land Formerly Joseph Linns of Boston 
Deed one to Sam"" Paterson a fity acre lot for 75 pounds old Tenor and a 
meadow lot to Matth'^' Little for 55 pounds old Tenor and a Third Division 
lot for 95 pounds old Tenor to James Mathues 

22'' set out for Haverhill to buy salt 

23'' Got 3 bushel of salt from W" Duncan out of James Machards store 
and a file from s'' Duncan and did not pay any of them 

24"* paid W" Duncans wife 7£ Benj" Linkfield sent by me for 5 pair of 
Gloves he had when he was Married 

27"* paid John Burns IP/ old Tenor being the remainder of what he 
helped me last Faiill a Clearing in the Little Meadow 

28"* went to Namaskeeg faulls and Fished til Saturday night and got 
with Buying and giveing and Catching 12G shad and 1 Sahnon 

30"* let John Smith of New Boston have '.i a bushel of salt and Tim- 
othy Corlis have % ^ bushel of salt and Got 20 shad for it and John Mac- 
curdy Gave me 9 shad 

JUNE FIRST 

Mr Macclintock preached in Bedford from the 2'' of Jeremiah and 5 verse 

2'' James Kennedy Made 2 new shoes and set 4 on my horse ^^ of the 
iron of the new shoes was his 

4"' had 18 shad from Sam" Paterson the whole of what shad I got this 
fishing time was 175 and 2 sahnon I bought 38 of them and Got 7 Lamper 
Files 

5"* nin round Deacon Boyes lot he lives on and went to a town meet- 
ing held at W*'* Holms and was Chose along with James Little to Go to 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 17 

the General Coui-t to Get our iiniinproved lands Taxed and arbitrated on a 
Difference between Francis Barnet and Sam" Patterson 

9"* went to John smiths in Goffestowu and got 4 bushel of Indian corn 
for myself and let Benj" Smith have two of them and got the promise of 4 
bushels of him more 

1 1*'' set out with Hugh Riddel through the town to gather something for 
Matthew Ramsey and my wife reed off Rob' Nesmith the sum of 40-18-0 
old Tenor on account of his Bond 

r2*'> Finished gathering for Mr Ramsey and Delivered all we got to Lieut 
Moor being 40-2-0 worth 

16"^ Finished stocking John Rickeys Gun 

17"' he got her away and charged him 5 pounds for stocking her and a 
false lock which he did not pay down 

18"' set out for Boston on Rob' MacKeans affair 

21^' returned home again but Could not Finish his affair 

23*^ went to Maj"" Goffes and heard him try two actions on Caleb Emery 
and one on John Marsh for Killing Cattle 

25"' reed my pay from Mr Tho* Parker for my rideing last winter and 
what assistance I had with me and allowed him IV pr pound for getting it 
and Carried some rie to Kidders for Malt and Got ^^ biishel I had there 
before and what I carried Changed all but W basket 

26"' paid Charles Emerson 40*/ for himself and 30V for Capt Perhani 

29"' went to Londonderry & heard INIr McGregore Lecture from j^ 7"' of 
Amos from y<= 10"' verse to y"^ end and preached in the afternoon from the 
12th of Luke and 56"' verse 

30"' went to Litchfield to run lines for Mr Bowlin and was 2% days in 
his service and reed 1 £ from John Marshel and 17V of Jac"^ Heldreth 

JULY 3'i 

Run around W'" Patersons Thu'd Division lot no 46 and charged 40V but 
not paid 

4"' Run around a lot for Daniel Moor and charged 20V not paid and run 
the line between James Greg and the Little Meadow and Benj" Smith and 
charged 20*/ and run the line between Benj" Smith and John Quig 

7"' Paid John Smith 40V20 for Benj" Smith and the other for myself 
Ten shillings he alowed me out of my 2()V for service done here 

S"' Reed 166-10-0 old Tenor from W" Graham for Thomas Smith 

9"' had John Aiken and Hugh Riddel Jun'" Helping me hoe 

12"' paid Benj" Linldield 3 pounds old Tenor for a syth he broiight me 
from James' Paulls which syth W"' Barron had and finished Moulding my 
Corn 

13"' Mr Macclintock Lectured in the forenoon from the First Chapter of 
John Gospel From the 35"' to the 43'' verse and preached in the afternoon 
from the 2'' of Jeremiah and 5 verse and reed 3 Dollars and one English 
shilling by Benj" Smith from Mr James Duncan for one Otter skin & 3 sa- 
ble skins Will"' Kennedy Carried to him for me 

14"' set out for Westford to Get a Cart Tyer 

15"' Bought a Cart Tyer from Mr Hunt and Nails for 13-10-0 Dollars I 

2 



18 MATTHE^y patten's diary. 

paid him 4 Dollars and Gave him a Note of hand for 6-15-0 New Hanip' 
old Tenor in Room of 2 Dollars and Come to Jon" Parkeres and Bought 
2 Quarts of Clover from him and ig ^ bushel from his father Reading all 
at six shillings a quart silver money 

16"^ paid W™ Thornton 3 £ old Tenor for his rideing along -svith me after 
money Makers being for his service and four shillings he expend at Thos 
Halls' 

17"> paid John Mclaughlin for his son Thomas 1-18-0 being along with 
me after money makers for one day & night of himself and paid Sam" 
Walton 3-16-0 for John Wasou & Andrew Bigsby on the same affair 

19''i Had Rob' Smith and James helping me to Hill Corn 

21"' Had a Cow I had oft' Sanv^ Martain take Bull with patersons bull 

22'! Robt & James Smith helped me hill Corn 

23<^ was a Fast throughout the province 

24'!^ settled with W"^ Boiys and owed him 13-5-9 and paid 10£-10'' and 
remains Due to him 2-10 fine shillings he alowed me for my mear and 
paid Tho*^ Smith of New Boston the sum 160-10 old wliich I reed of the 8"' 
Instant W'" Graham 40V he gave me and 5 £ for Rob' "Walker and 6£/10'' 
for Hugh Riddel 

26''' Let John Quig have two rakes 

29th Finished Hilling my Corn and makeing Two Rakes for Benj" Smith 
and paid David Macnight 3 £ old tenor for his Father which I reed off Cap' 
Colburn wife in Dunstable on the 15"' Instant 

30th "VVent to Londonderry was at a proprietors meeting of no 8 and paid 
Five pound to the Treasm-er of sd no 8 being the whole of what was due 
on my right 

AUGUST FIRST 

Paid Mrs Wadal one pound for knitting a pair of barrd stockings for 
Beuj" Linkfield and went to Chester and Indented with Mr Jonathan 
Sanders to Come and make me a pan- of Cart Wheels by the middle of the 
weak after next and returned home again 

2'' Let Benj" Smith have Tavo rakes and Gave Hugh Riddel 6-10-0 
which The' Smith left with me for him and Gave him 5 £ which sd Smith 
left for Rob' Walker 

3<i Mr MacGregore preached in Bedford from The 3'' verse of the 37 
Psalm 

4"' James Kennedy finished makeing a set of Cart Hoops and Charged 
jjie 2-10-0 and a pair of Beetle rings and Charged 3** & Jo'* Thomas gave 
my wife 15 £ old Tenor for a deers Leather a buck sldn and fawn skin. 

5th Went to Alex'' MacMurphys mill & got 2 bushels of rie and % of a 
bushel of Turkey wheat Ground and went Adam Weirs and got the 
promise to fill 2 yds of Double Diniaty with Cotton and gave him 14 Cutts 
to do it with 

S"' Got two pigs from John Quig auvd Got a striped jacoat cut out by 
Hannah Barnet 

O'li had Patersons oxen and Cart in the forenoon helping me fetch liom 
Cart fellows fiom Strawberry Hill and reap my Barley being stooks and 
one sheaf 



I. 



INIATTHEW patten's DIARY. 19 

10"> heard Mr Macclintock preach at Lieu' John Halls in Derryfield from 
Jer. y<= 3* & 13 

11"' Hewed out my fellows for my wheels 

12"' Went to see Benj" Smiths youugest Child who Departed this life in 
the forenoon and made a Coffin for it in the afternoon & Catrain Little 
came to stay at ovu' house till my Wife and I would go to the Buiring the 
next day which was to be at two of the clock afternoon 

13"' went to the funeral of Benj" Smiths child and Richard Macalester 
Jerret rowan and his wife reaping for me and Kathrine Little and Isabel 
Maclaughlin pulled flax for me in the afternoon & paid John Quig 2-17-0 
for his riding with me last winter 

14"' Had Hugh Macguines helping me reap rie on John Maclaughlins 
accaunt and Kathrine Little & Isabell Maclaughlin helping me pull flax in 
the forenoon 

15"' had Hugh Macldnes reaping for himself and Sam' Bell paid me 25 £ 
and 3 £ Intrest 

16"' Benj" Linkfield and Mrs Kennedy helped me reap 

17"' Mr Macclintock Lectured in the forenoon in Bedford from John 1st 
from the 43'^ verse to the end & preached in the afternoon from y»^ same 
Chapter and 13"' verse 

18"' Benj" Linldield helped me reap til y^' middle of y<= afternoon and 
had a bushel of rie on the 16"' Instant and Mary Kennedy helped me reap 
also til'y'' same time of j*^ day and finished reaping rie and had 20 stocks 
and 10 sheafes and Drew Four Coppys of Roads for Justice Boyes and 
Charged 40V old Tenor for the same 

19"' Benj" Linkfield helped me Cart in my rie and 5 stooks of Barley 
and flax for his day befores went 

20"' began to reap my oats and Mow in my Meadow and went in the 
afternoon to Lieu' John Halls to Vendue Cap' Bushnells farm in Derry- 
field 

23'i Benj" Linldield & Mary Kennedy helped me reap my Wheat and 
Oats being six stooks & 7 sheaves of wheat & 9 stooks & 7 sheaves of 
oats & let Benj" Linkfield have 3£ / old Tenor 

25"' Benj" Linldield & Sam' Paterson helped me mow in the forenoon 

26"' Mr. Jonathan Sanders came to make me a pair of Cart Wheels & 
Benj" Linldield workt with me today and bargained with him for a week 
of fair weather for 4 £ 

CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 26"' AD 1755 

28"' Sam' Paterson helped me mow and rake hay all day and lent Richard 
Macalester one pound of powder 

30"' in the Evening came a Great Frost so as to Idll all ye corn leaves 
and repeated again on the 3P' Night 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

went to Alex"^ Macmurphj-s mill witli 2 bushel of Indian corn and 2 of 
rie but did not get it Ground and pd John Lovewell 20V for amount of 
gi-inding Sam" Barnet 



20 .AIATTHEW patten's DIAHY. 

2'^ Mr Sanders finished makeing my wheels and I pd hini 8 pounds for 
the same and Benj" Linkfield helped me Cart in the last of my hay I had 
95 cocks this year in my meadow & Sanii Paterson came to make shoes at 
my house 

3*^ went and got home the grain I carried to mill the First instant and 
Alex"' Macmurphy gave me a bushel of wheat 

4"> went to New Boston and Lodged at Davises 

5th returned hom again 

6"^ went to Hugh Riddels in order to get him to set the Surveyors to 
work on y^ Highways and vn-it a Desii'e for the selectmen for the town to 
Meet to have a couferance about the Meeting house 

7"^ Mr Houston Preached in Bedford From the 5th of the Romans and 
First verse 

8*'^ got a boar pig and a sow from widow Paterson she gifted the sow 
pig and I bought the Boar and went to the town conferance and drawed a 
warrant for the selectmen for a town meeting to be held the 22'^' of tliis 
instant and an order to the surveyor to mend highways 

9"^ spent the forenoon in falling on a Method for an accommodation to 
the town about setting the Meeting house and at last drew a paper to set 
it at Noah Thayers and signed and sent it to James Little and Hugh 
Riddel by Rob' Walker to go throw among the west side of the Inhabi- 
tants 

10"^ workt at highways East of John Bells 

11"^ Spent the forenoon in planning the place of the Meetinghouse place 
for the town and lent Rob' Davidson one bushel of rie 

12"^ was out of Case run the line between James Walker and Cap' Bush- 
nell and James Walker broke a tooth for me off by the Jaw there not being 
enough of it sound to hold to draw the tooth out 

13"^ was not able to do anything and had very Great simtoms of the 
Feaver & augue and went to bed at dark and began to sweat and Con- 
tinued to sweat till next day night without Intermission 

15"^ was somewhat easyer settled with Benj" Linkfield for all he worked 
for me this year and I owed him 1£ 6-8 & I paid him 1-10-0 old Tenor 

16"> had Benj" LinMeld Dan^i Quig & Hugh Rowan helping me to cut 
stalks and reed by John Bell from W"^ Moor one Quart of Linseed oyl one 
pound of Spanish Brown one ounce of priissian blue which I sent to boston 
with him for the eleven Instant and Ann Maccollum came to live at our 
house and I had to Go to Goffes to arbitrate on a case between W"^ Stinson 
of Starks town and John Marsh of Weirs town but for want of a Justice 
to swear the Evidences adjourned the arbitration till Tuesday the 30"^ of 
this Instant to James Osgoods in Camptou 

17"^ went to Litchfield and Got 4 gallons of rum from Tho-* Parker for the 
town and Two Quarts and a pint for James Little and IJ^ Quart for myself 
for which rum Richard McAlester sent 4 £ my mother 5 £ and my brother 
2 £ and the remainder I laid out myself y'' whole came to 1 2-6-9 and reed 
an aCcount pr Patrick Taggart that my father in law was laid speachles at 
Portsmouth 

18* set out as far as Deny and lodged at my father in laws 



MATTHEW patten's DIAItY. 21 

19*'^ went to portsnioiith and arived there at about 8 or 9 of the clock iu 
the evening where I found my father in law very low but in perfect 
reason 

20"^ waited all day in town set up with him that night he altered in the 
evening about eight or nine and grew Constantly Desernably worse till the 
next day about 12 of the Clock and then Departed this life 

2P' he Departed about 12 as before about 2 I set out for Lo:derry 
22'i returned to Portsmouth arived about 10 of the Clock in the evening 
23'^ The Corpses was brought up to LondonDerry by James D-s\"yer and 
retiu'iied to to Lo:derry in the night set out between 6 and 7 and arived at 
Londonderry a little before Before day 
24"' The Corpses was intered in Lon:derry 
25"' Came home in the evening 
2Qth "VVent to a town meeting held by adjournment 
27"' went to Litchfield and got 2 Quarts of rum & 4 £ of shugar 
29"' James Linn killed a cow for me which Weighed 208 £ of Beaf & 
34 hide and settled aCcoiiut with Cap^ Bushnell and he owed me 6 shil- 
lings old Tenor & let John Bell Jun"" have a side of the beaf weighed 105 
and a quarter to Benj" Linkfield and my brother Sam^' w' 48 and Lent 
James Linn 9 3^' £ and Will'" Holms 13 £ of beaf 

OCT^ FIRST 

Run round James Kennedys place and he made 2 Linch pins and 
welded a strech of Cart Tyer and made out of his Iron 4 Steeples for 
secui'ing my Cart Boxes. 

2'' spent the Forenoon on the towns affair Concluding to Defer the Rais- 
ing and seeing to send Hugh Ridel for rum & Chees. 

3*^ spent the afternoon in going to Starks Mill and from there to Cap* 
Perham and bargained with him for 12 M of boards for 6-10-0 old Tenor 
pr M to be Delivered at the mouth of Chohass Brook 

4"' put on my cart Tyer 

6"' Got James Kennedy to set Two Shoes on my horses hind feet and 
set out for Tyngs and bought 9-15-2 worth in silver money and returned 
home that night before break of day 

7"' lent one Quart of rum to the town which was used by Benj" Smith 
Benj" Linkfield & John Burns who was employed in bringing 6 ]\I of 
Boards over the river which the Town bought of Cap' Perham 

9"' went to Alex"" Macmurphys mill and Carried one bushel of rie with 
me and got it ground and IKi bushell of Wheat that I carried there on the 
3*^ instant and he Gave me 1^^ bushells of Indian corn 

10"' Had John Burns of New Boston helping me all day & John Bui'ns 
Jun'' of this towai helping me in the forenoon & Rob* & James Smith in 
the afternoon and I went to Litchfield and got one pair of shoes for John 
Burns of New Boston and Got 14 £ of shugar from Thos Parkers wife and 
Did not pay it 

11"' Went to Chester and Carried Ann Maccollum to Sam' Aikens and 
bought two Cheeses from Tho** Hasletons wife weighing 18i^ £ at 3** 7^^ pr 
£ and 30 £ and 1 1 ounces from Jean Talf ord at 3V per £ and did not pay 
her for hers (viz Jean Talf ord) 



22 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

13"^ went and helped to Level the Meeting house Cills and let my 
brother sam^ have 141^4 £ of Chees and had got 25)^' £ of beaf from my 
brother Sam' he sent 3 £ with me to Chester 18 shillings to Jean Talford 
for him. 

14''^ went to raising our Meeting house we Got up the plates and all the 
beanies but two 

15*'^ Got the midwife and woman to my wife early in the morning and 
went in the afternoon and Finished raiseing the meeting house & Daniel 
Moor pd me 20"* for running Tuffts 3*^ Division 

16*'* My Wife was Delivered about 8 in the morning of a Son and sold a 
Cow to Will'" Macneal of New Boston for 24 £ old Tenor and borrowed 4 
£ old Tenor from Rob' Gilmoor and paid it to John Smith of New Boston 
and 20^* which he alowed in my hand for Ann Maccullom and half a 
bushel of salt he had of me Last spring amounted in the whole to 6 £ 
which answered for his keeping a pair of steers for me from the thirteenth 
of last Jany till the spring & 3 galon & 1 quart of rum of ye town at 'ih^ 
pr galon & 7>4 £ of shugar at 6V5^' £ 

17"^ Carried home the Midwife which was Deacon Boyes wife and had 
not money to pay her and got 20?^ £ of butter from Mr Holms 

34''^ had Will'" Macdugal helping me to Carrie in Corn and stow away 
huskes in the forenoon & had John Biirns helping me in the afternoon & 
reed on the 23<i the beaf that James Linn borrowed of me the 29"' of Sep*'' 
last 

25"^ Fell a Considerable Snow and paid James Kennedys wife 20** and 
sent a line to Will'" Duncans for James Kennedy that I would answer him 
Money he owed James Duncan 

29"' Had John Aiken plowing for me 

30"' fell a Snow about anlde Deep and John Aiken helped me to rid my 
Barn till in the afternoon and I finished makeing the Town and province 
rates and Warrants for the Selectmen and Charged 6 £ old Tenor for the 
same 

3P' Hunted in the Forenoon and went in the afternoon to a town Meet- 
ing and was chose a Committeeman to Clapboarding the meeting house 

NOVEMBER 

2'' Mr Houston lectured in Bedford in the forenoon from the 4"' of the 
song and 5 6 7 & 8 verses and preached in the afternoon from the 119 
Psalm and 120 verse 

3'' Write a letter to Justice Boyes and kept a Coppy for the selectmen 

7 & 8"' Will'" Macdugal helped me to Cart Dung 

10"' John Bell had my Oxen helping him Break up 

12"' went to Goffestown along with Will"' McDugal and was out three 
days 

15"' Will'" MacDugal helped me and he came 

17"' he helped me all that week and I went to Londonderry and bor- 
rowed two pair of Writ blanks from Maj' Goffe and Lodged at my 
Mother MacMurphys and in the night about Four of the Clock in the 
Morning There was an exceeding great Earth Quake reported by those 



MATTHEW patten's DI \RY. 23 

that observed to be seven Diferant shocks they were all in about an houre 
or less the first was exceeding hard and of some miniits Continuance the 
others not much more than the sound except the last which was a hard 
shock but short but not so hard as the first. 

IS"' went to John Clarks with a "svrit for him to serve on John aikeu of 
Chester for Tho* Smith of new boston which I filled up the night before 
and settled with Rob' Livingstone for sd Smith and reed 32 £ old Tenor 
for him and took 4 notes of hand and Discounted 46« which sd Smith 
owed sd Li\'ingston and Copyd a >\Tit and aCcouut for sd Clark for 
Frances Orr and Clark alowed me 20» which went toward the service of 
Smiths virit 

19"' Waited till for Rob* Macmurphy who was Gon to Portsmouth in 
order to help examin my father in laws papers and there was a Shock of 
an Earth Quake a little before Sunset 

SI**' finished examining my Father in laws papers and Dr Thornton took 
the Caption on account for me on John Blairs estate 

^S"! Got my Deed I had of Ens" MacGregores acknowledged by justice 
Boyes and returned home and in the evening I suposse about 9 a Clock at 
night there was a Smart Shock of an Earth Quake almost as hard as the 
hard shock on the nionday night before but of not so long Continuance 
and Borrowed one bushell of salt from Rob' Macmurphy 

26"' went to Miller moors mill and got four bushel of Indian corn 
ground and had the toal for pay and went to Litchfield and got 2 lbs of 
sugar from Tho^ Parker but did not pay for it 

27*'' Writ a power of Attorney for Tho* Smith of new boston and went 
in the afternoon to the Funeral of Lieu' Moors Child 

28"' borrowed 43)< lbs of beaf of John Maclaughlin 

29"' Lieut Moor gave me one bushel of Turnips and I mended my Cart 
that Da^dd Biu-ns broke 

DEC"^ 3a 

Set out for Portsmouth to carrie on a Case for Tho'* Smith of new 
Boston 

(5"' Ai-ived home again 

13"' Lieut Moor Butchered my hoggs and James peterson got The'* 
Worthly to help me 

15"' went along \vith John Goffe to hails town 

16"' returned home again and Charged him 5 pounds and Got as much 
Vermillion from Nath'^ Martain as I am to give him 20** old Tenor 

17"' Went to Sowhegan West to help to Divide Ens" Walton estate 

LS"' retm-ned home again and Charged 4(> and reed the money 

20"' went along with Alex"^ MacMm-phy to Chester and Signed a Quit 
Claim Deed to him of a parcel of land which my father in law left me & 
pd Maj' Tolfords wife 4 £-12^ for chees 15 shillings she pd for me to hubard 
and 19"* for my brother sam'^ 

22'! he let me have by the hand of John Caldwell Some Indian Corn 
and some rie and I spent till friday night Concerning the Rough farm 

29"' v\'eut to merriniac to their vendue of Land and saved no 4 a second 



24 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

Division for Dan aud John Macciu-dy and 98 a third Division for John 
Wentvrorth Esq'' and 36 for Co" Parker and Gave niy note on Demand for 
the tax and Charges 

30"' Divided of for Jolm Goffe Esq' to John Seaciimb 40 acres of the 
upper end of Pond farm and in the, evening -wTot foiu- letters to Ports- 
mouth one to Mr Parker one to Mr Livermore one to I\Ir Daniel Pierce 
and one to Mr John Weutworth by James Macnight 

3lst -yyriti a Deed to J"'* Machard from Ezekiel Walker and charged 20*^ 
old Tenor 

Which finished the Affau\s of the year 1755 

JANUARY FIRST 1756 

Writ a deed for John Holms from his father and he Cutt back Loggs 
while I 'svrit it 

2'i went to New boston and Bought a mink sldn from mr Fasett 

3<i Bought Tho^ Smiths butter and Andrew Walkers aud to factor Will'" 
Macneals and returned hom again 

5th Y^-rH a deed from John Crow to John Boies and went to Merrimac 
to finish running round rogger macnights lott which I did not Quit finish 
when I was on it before 

6*'' went to a Training at Lieu* Moors & sold Joseph Thomas 2 rakoon 
skins for 2-10-0 in silver dollars a 45s 

?"' rodger macnight cleaned my well and I went along with him and 
finished his line and he gave me 20^ old Tenor and went to Merrimac and 
paid Phineas Underwood 19-17-8 old Tenor for the tax and charged on no 
4 Second Division and no 36 & 98 Third Division 

12"' went to Londonderry to assist Rob* niacmurphy and took one bushel 
of Rie to Alex'' Macmurphys mill 

13"' returned home after having paid Cap* Mitcliell 7*/4** for trimmings 
I had of him last winter and paid Rob* niacmurphy 6 £ old Tenor for a 
bond to Mr. Parker Lawer and to get a letter of Guardianship for Guar- 
dian to John Call well and he and Alex'^ Macmiirphy was my bondsmen 
and Rob* Macmurphy pd me 5 Dollars for John Maccurdy 

14*^ Got near a bushel of Indian corn from Alex'' Macmurphy and reed 
4-15-3 old Tenor the last years intrest on a bond which I have on Andrew 
Bradford by Edward beavins 

13*'' And I received on the 13"' 10 £ old Tenor from Rob* Livingstone for 
Tho^ Smith 

16*'' James Kennedy mended one hook of a Chain and made me a new 
one of my iron and workt on my Coal and pd him 5 £ for Tho>* Smith 

17*'' run round the lott 13 in y^ 9th rang for John Boies and run round 
the lot no 12 in y<^ 8*'' rang for Tho^ Boies 

19*'' James Kennedy made one new horsehoe and Steeled four shoes at 
heel and toe and set them and made me a pair of Washers for my Cart 
all of my Iron and all workt with my Coal 

27th -went to Londonderry to see the lines of my father in laws rough 
farm preambulated by John Mitchel 



MATTHEW patten's DIAUV. 25 

30*'i returned home from that business and got 2 bushels of rie and 1}^ 
bushel of Indian Corn from Alex'^ Macmurphy Come to 5-10-0 the rie at 
34'* pr bushel and the Indian at 28" per bushel and I gave him 8 £ all the 
prices in old Tenor 

31^' let Sani'i Paterson have lO^^ of Tallow at 5^ pr pound old Tenor 
amounting to 53V9*^ 

FEB'.^ FIRST 

Mr Houston Lectured in Bedford in y^" forenoon from y*" 4 of the song 
and on the 13 14 15 & IB verses & preached in the afternoon from the 5 of 
the song and 2d verse 

2'^ went along with John Little to run round the 16*'^ lott in y 7*'^ rang 
and bought a rakoon skin from Will'" Barnet for 15^* old Tenor to be paid 
when I sell the same 

3'^ John Little and Rob' Mackeen helped me in the afternoon to cut 
fence Logs at the Little Meadow 

4 & 5"^ Cutt fence Logs as above and had the same two helping nie 

9 & 10"^ was at Londonderry on my father in laws affairs on the 10"^ 
Benj" Linkfield had my oxen and Cart Carting hay for Widow Chandler 

15*'^ Mr Macclintock Lectured in Bedford on the 7 8 9 10 11 verses of y^' 
first Chapter Ephesians and preached in the afternoon from these words 
in the 8 verse of the 2 Chapter of the same book (by Grace y<^ are saved) 

17*'^ set out for Boston and had Benj" Linkfield horse with me and Car- 
ried butter with me and set it all up biit 24 £ which I sold at 4'* and left 7 
tubs with Mrs Duglass to sell for me 

2P' returned home again and brought home with me 152 £ of beaf 
which I gave 1V2'^ pr pound 

MARCH FOURTH 

had Jerret rowans and Benj" Smiths oxen helping me in the afternoon 
to hall fence logs at the Little Meadow 

5*'^ had Rowans oxen all day helping me to Draw fence logs at the same 
place 

7*'' Mr Houston Lectured in the Forenoon in Bedford on the beginning 
of the 5*'^ Chapter of the Song and preached in the afternoon from the 
former part of the 2'^ verse of the same chapter 

12"^ iVrchibald Macalester and Rob' Holms and John Calhvell helped me 
lay up Log fence at the Little Meadow 

14th ]y[r Houston Lectured in y'' forenoon in Bedford in the 5"i of the 
song and the 5 (5 7 & 8 verses and preached in the afternoon from the 4"^ 
of Matth^^' and y*^ 17"^ verse 

15"^ Had James Paterson Rob' Holms and Archibald Macalester helping 
me lay up Log fence at the little meadow and had Rowans oxen helping 
me about }4 an hour 

17"' set out for Boston & reed 40'* from sam'i Barnett 

24"^ Came home again and reed all the price of what butter I left with 
Mrs Duglass to sell but 5 £ in Dollars which she owes me yet 

28"^ Susanna was taken with the kanker in her throat and I went to D"^ 
Cummings and he sent some things which we applyed according to Dii'ec- 
tion 



26 MATTHEW patten's DI.IUY. 

29"> the Dr came over to see her and she was a little Easer 

30t'» she was worse and I went and preambulated the lines of that Tract 
of land granted to Alex'^ Macniurphj's heirs by Naniaskieg falls 

31^' was otir annual March meeting and I was chose town clerk and sur- 
veyor of Timber 

APRIL FIRST 

Susanna grew worse and the Ranker broke out into her blisters and I got 
John Bells horse and went to the Dr & Got some Drugs from him and 
some Salve or oyntmeut to apply to the Ranker 

5"' Sold one Quart of Clover seed to Alec Moor for IS'* in silver and went 
out along with James Patterson to show him where to build a house on 
their farm 

6*'^ sent John Callwell to Dr Cummings for some things for Susanna 

A DAY BOOR CONTINUED AND BEGAN APRIL Ht'i A D 1756 

went to Miller Moors to run the lines of his farm and Draw A\Titings 
between him and Sam" Calhvell but it was so late that I could not do it 
and reed one Dollar from Rob' Mackeen 

7"^ went and run the lins of James moors farm and vrrit the Writings 
and reed the remainder of what Rob' Mackeen owed me which was 15V5'i 
in silver which I had expended last June in going to Boston to see to settle 
his affairs 

12"^ reed two Dollars from Matth^ Little on W" Macdugals account 

13"' Little went along with Eben' Stevens to Goffs town to show him no 
10 in y*" 4"' rang on the south side of Piscataquog and bought two rakoon 
skins from him for 40^ old Tenor & reed 5-1-0 old Tenor from Tho** Hall 
and let Alex'' Macmurphy have 2 Dollars 

3P' was our Provincial Fast as also our Town Annual March meeting a 
number of us the inhabitants attended but our Moderator did not come 

23'' went to Dunstable and went to Tyngs and got some things and pd 
what I owed him before being in the Avhole 3-14-() old Tenor and paid him 
1V()'' over and Got 9 bushel of Indian Corn from Tho** Harwood for 20** pr 
bushel in silver and had Will"' Holms mear to help me bring it up and 
brought one ounce of Onion seed for them which they pd me for before 

27tii writ 6 Notifications for widow Chandler for the sale of land in Bed- 
ford by order of the Judge of Probate of wills 

28"' went to Litchfield about twelve of the Clock to run round then- 
town an addition from Londonderry in order to find the Center where to 
build the Meeting house 

30"' retiu-ned home again in the night 

MAY FIRST 

Spent more than half the day a planing the above said work 

2'' Mr Mcclintock Preached in Bedford from y"" 4 of the Ephesians y 45 
and 6 verses 

4"' brought one half of what Corn I brought from Dunstable home in 
meal from Sam' Callwells and had the Toal for pay 

6"' attended a town meeting and revived our Call to Mr Sam" Macclin- 



MA.TTHEW patten's DIAIIY. 27 

tock and was chose to get a tax laid on our land in bediord by the General 
Court and reed 9 £ old Tenor from Hugh Ridel on aCcount of John smith 
of New boston and one pound of butter at 6'* and 6-14-0 I owed him before 
amounted to 16 £ all on account of sd Smith 

7"! went to New Boston to John Macalester to get him to come to Lon- 
donderry next Tuesday 

8"^ returned home again 

10"> went to Litchfield and run for to find that of land which fell by 
the old brick killn and got a Quart of Rum from Tho'* Parker and bought 
2 shad from John Harvil and one he gave me to send word to J" Mac- 
laughlin and brought 4 for Maclaughlin and Two Mrs Gibson gave 

11"! went and Vendued Several lots of Land for Widdow Chandler and 
for Venduing and \^Titing the advertisements she gave me four pounds 
old Tenor and went to Londonderry 

12"^ came home again and Got 2)4 bushel of Potatoes from my mother 
in law and left o-5-O in Rob' Macmurphys hand for James Milltimber and 
bought 185 alewives from James peters and John Kidder for 6" old Tenor 

13*'' Rob' Murdach Helped me to mend fence in the forenoon and I w^ent 
out with him in y« afternoon to see no 14 in the 6"' Rang and he gave me 
40V 0:T: 

14th -yyent to Londonderry to here some evidences sworn in perpetuom 
before Col" Blanchard and Jus: Thornton 

15"^ came home again and got one bushel of wheat from Alex'^ Macmur- 
phys mill and 2 bushell of mishlin I carried there of my own in meal 

17"' had Jerret Rowan helping me in the afternoon and his two boys all 
day a planting Potatoes 

18"' Finished planting potatoes and Sowed oiir Flaxseed 

22'i finished planting Corn and beans and went to new boston and Set 
my traps in the bogg west of Joe Englishes hill 

23^' retiirned home again to sermon and heard Mr Hoiiston Lecture in 
the forenoon on the first verses of the 6"' song and preach in the afternoon 
on the 28 verse of the 3d of the Romans 

24"' went to new boston to See my traps and found a beavers foot in one 
of em : 

25"' went away up to South Branch and set my traps and in ciitting 
wood for camping I cut my Left Foot and the outside on the ancle very 
bad 

26"' got a beavers foot in one of my traps and Came home again I had 
my horse keep at John Macalesters all the time I was in new boston and 
left my traps set north from Moors and Cliistys Settlements on the South 
Branch 

JUNE 14"' 

Lay by from the 26"' of May till this day by reason of my Cutt and this 
day went over to Londonderry to Dividing the Cattle and household goods 
in my father in Laws Estate 

23'' returned home again and Katrine Little keept house while I and my 
wife was gon to Lo : derry and on the lii"' I pd Mr James Ramsey seven- 
teen pounds one shilling old Tenor on account of Will'" mcneal of New 



28 MATTHEAV PATTEX'8 DIAKY. 

boston and. ninteeu shillings over by reason we could not make Change and 
on the 20"^ heard Mr MacGregore preach in the afternoon on y^ 3<i of John 
and verse and had oiu- youngest Child baptized (viz James) 

28"' had John Burns lielping me to get me to run the line between his 
fathers land and Bigsbes and had Silas Barron helping me and went in the 
afternoon along with his father and to examin the line between him and 
Eleazer Lyons lot he formerly liv'd on and for my pains had the aforesaid 
Silas and reed 20/ O. T. from Jos : polard 

30*'^ Rob' Gilmoor Jim'" helped me awhile in the forenoon to finish my 
weeding of Corn and potatoes and went to Chester to Divide two Eighty 
acre Lott and did it by Justice Emersons Dr Moor Enoch Rowel Ezeb>' 
Berry & Sam" Ingles and Wm Tolford and I got no 6S) Estimated by the 
aforesaid men 150 £ old Tenor to be paid or alowed in the next Division to 
them who got the other namely (no 96) 

JULY 2'i 

Returned home again from the aforesaid Business 

5*'^ picked up brush in the Little Meadow and got 2X bushel of Indian 
meal from Sam" Callwells mill 

6"^ went to Londonderry to settle with the Commissioners for Elias 
Dickys estate and was Due me 24-16-8 old Tenor 

7"i came home again and Br Alex'' gave me shad fish and some ells and 
brought 2 bushel of Rie meal I carried the rie there the day before and 
reed 40V from Rob' MacChu-e to ask advice from a Lawer on a bond and 
reed 20V from Alex'' Macmurphy to pay for recording a Deed which I reed 
at the same time 

12"' Reed 20 £ of the towns money to Carrie on the charge of geting 
our land taxed and the full of what service I had done about the meeting 
house frame the sum being 6-1-3 new Tenor and pd my mother 5 £ old 
Tenor that I borrowed from her Last Sepf to get rum to the hailing of the 
meeting hoiise timber and pd my Brother Sam" 8V9'' O : T : that I l)or- 
rowed at the same time 

13"' Set out for Portsmouth to get our land tax and our propriety" re- 
vised and had John Bells horse to rid on and Carried 37-7-0 O : T : with me 
of my own money & 20 £ O : T : of the towns and 11-5-0 O : T : of others to 
do errands for them amounting in the whole to 68-12-0 O : T : and reed 
24 £ from Rob' McClure toward the price of a Cow he had which fell to 
me out of my father in laws estate whose price was to be 30 £ Certain & 
20V more conditional 

17"' returned home again 

18"' John Smith of New Boston came and told me that the Bears liad 
Bit my heifer that was at his house that she would not live 

19"' went up with him and got W'" Macneal to Butcher her and sold 
49^4 £ of y<= beaf to John Jewel & and 29 3<^ to Andrew Walker and 16 to 
John Blair and 14 £ to Hugh Blair The hide and tallow and tongue I kept 
to myself the hide weighed 43 £ and returned home again the same even- 
ing 

21''' Had John Quigs mear to set out for Chester and Haverhill Ixit he 



MATTHE\y TATTEN's DIAltV. 29 

sent nie word to be Get his iiiear shod and be home again by tomorrow 
night which I could not do and so sent the mear home again and pd 
Sam" Smith of New Boston 12 £ old Tenor for keeping a paii- of three 
year old stears over the last winter 

23^' got a Quart of rum from Matth^^' Little for myself and a gallon for 
Tho^ Smith not pd 

■)gth "vvi-it a letter to Francis Diman 

28"! Got a gallon of Rum from Matth^^ Little at 50V and pd him 3-10-0 
being TV more then it and the Quart I had on the 23'i come to 

29"* Jerret Rowan had an adze of me that I brought from Portsmouth 
for him and paid me 3 £ O : T : for it 

29"* Killed a Buck I wounded the evening before which weighed about 
27 lb pr Quarter and went to John Aikens funeral in the afternoon 

31*' Bought one half Ginne and a Dollar from Robert Gillnuit a 4-10-0 
pr Dollar amoixnting to 15 £ of our old Tenor in Lieue of what Silver I had 
Expended for the town a advertising about their land tax and the over 
plus to pay toward the advertisement I was ordered to print by the Gen- 
eral Assembly The whole of what I have ah-eady paid for advertising and 
a quii-e of paper for the town for the year 1755 amounts to 5-5-0 being just 
the half of Ginne 

AUGUST 2'i 

went to Londonderry and reed 30V from James Ramsey which I over pd 
him when I pd him 17 £ on the 19"* of June last for William Macnell and 
got some apples and Rice from James Blair and a vomit from Dr Cum- 
mings and some Drops of hartshorn & Lavender and 10 oiince of Bark the 
Bark not pd for and and 2V of the rest I pd him lOV which was remaining 
unpd of what he did last spring for Susanna 

5"* Attended on a town meeting and was chose to treat with Mr Hous- 
ton 

0"* had a gallon of rum from Sam'' Callwell not pd 

7"* treated with Mr Hoiiston and attended on sd meeting held by ad- 
journment 

8"* Mr Hoxiston Lectured in the song and Preached in the afternoon from 
the 4"* verse from the 112 Psalm 

9"' Had Tho* Boies ^Vi-chibald Macalester Jerret Rowan and his wife and 
Mrs Kennedy helping me reap rie 

10"* Ai-chibald Macalester helped me to finish reaping rie and Cart it in 
and had 41 stook and 5 sheaves 

11"' went to Will"* Boies and gave Margi*et his Daughter a letter for her 
Brother John and an advertisement to be put in the publick prints and 
gave her Two Dollars to do it with and to bring me foiir Quu-e of Paper 
and killed a buck weighed 25 £ per Quarter 

13"* went to David Burnses and straighted the Line between him and 
Andrew Bixby and pd Sam" Callwell f(H- a gallon of Rum James Kennedy 
brought me from him 

14"' Got a gallon of Rum from John Bell Jun^ and pd Sam" Patten 3 £ 
which Andrew Bixby sent by me to him on accoxmt of intrest he owed 
him 



30 MATTHE^Y PATTEX's DIARY. 

15"^ Mr Houstou preached on the same text he did on the last Sabbath 

16"^ Hugh Macldnes helped me to reap my Oats 

22'i Heard Mr MacGregore preach from the Goalers asking Paul what 
he should do to be saved with the answer and Carried Esther Rodgers over 
M'ith me who had been at our house a fortnight who would not Charge and 
presented her with a three pound bill 

24* was our town meeting by adjoui'ument 

25"^ Treated with Mr Houstou Concerning His Settling with us and 
went to see the first ministers fifty acre lott 

29'h Mr MacGregore preached in bedford for Mr Houstou from the 13 of 
Exodus and the 13 verse 

30*'^ was our to%vu meeting in which we voted to give Mr Houston in our 
old Tenor equal to 40 £ sterlin as the Law shall State Dollars or Sterlin 
money annually for his yearly Steepend 

31*' went to Londonderry and treated ^vith Mr Houston and Mr Mac- 
Gregore appointed to moderate in a call the 15"' of Sepf^ at Ten of the 
Clock & got a bushel and better of wheat from Robert Macmiirphy. 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

Had Lieut Moor James Little and John Maclaughlin Jun'^ helping me to 
mow for my going to Londonderry the day before 

2'^ had John Maclaughlin Jun"' Rob' Gillmor Jun'^ helping me rake hay 
John was for pay and Rob' was on account of my going to Lo : Derry and 
I was at Goffes town along with one Johnson viewing the lot no 45 and he 
promised to pay me 50V O : T : for my pains 

3 & 4"' was along with the General Court Committee Surveying the 
laud in Controversy between Londonderry prop''* and Jonathan Cliamber- 
lin 

6"' Drawed the plan and sent it by Alex'' Macmui'phy to Daniel Paine 
Esq"^ and charged 2-5-0 new Tenor and Carried almost 2 bushel of rie with 
me to mill a stayed all night and brought 2 bushell I had there before & it 
home with me 

7"' Rachel Cowan brought 2 lbs butter and brought 2 lbs more the 31" 
of Last month made 4 lb in the whole that I had from her mother 

11"' had John Maclaughlin Jun'' helping me to rake hay he charged me 
20V pr day 

13"' on the night following this day Came a great Frost so as to kill all 
the corn leaves 

14th night repeated frost again harder than the night before 

15"' Mr Macgregore preached in Bedford from the 6 of Galatians and 
16"^ verse and moderated in a Call for Mr Hoiiston 

18"' Rob' Mordoch helped me to rake and Cart hay for which I was to 
go into the woods with him to look Land 

19"' Mr Houston preached from the 26"' of Isaiah and 3'' 

20"' The town met and hailed part of the boards for the meeting house 

21^' Brought over a fom- year old steer from Derryfield which Sam" 
Smith of New boston is to have at the market price Beaf hide and Tallow 
and got 2 lb of Shugar from Matth^^' Little 



MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIARY. 31 

22<i went into the woods along with Rob' Mordoch for lielping nie last 
Saterday 

24"^ went to Hadleys mill to take account of the Qiiantity of my plank 
but had no help and Quit it and went to Rob' Andersons and brought 
away a bull which belonged to my Fatlier in Laws Estate 

28"^ Got my plow irons sharpened and an ax upset and an adze taken out 
of wind and new tempered and a peice of Steal from Kennedy and laid on 
the Coiilter 

OCTOBER FIRST 

James Kennedy mended the Ear of my plow and I sold a two year old 
steer and a heifer of the same age to Eleazer Wells for 8(5 £ old Tenor to 
be paid the first of next May with intrest at 2V per pounds till paid 

4"^ finished the plan of Chamberlins Controversy and Col" Tood came 
for it and sent it with him to the General Courts Committee and an 
amount of my charge which was 2-10-0 new Tenor 

6"^ James Kennedy made a new shoe and set two on my horse 

7"* set out for Haverhill and Lodged at James Duncans 

8"^ got lig bushel of Salt and }'^ of a £ of tea for 2-5-9 Silver and Came 
to my mother in laws and lodged all night 

9"^ Came home again & reed 20 £ from Rob' Gilnioor on the towns 
account 

11"^ Lieut Moor Killed a Cow for me which weighed 304 £ of Beaf & 50 
of hide and reed 20 £ O: T: from Matth"' Little on towns account 

12"^ Set out for Portsmouth and had John Bells horse and Lodged at 
Capt Folsoms 

16"^ Arived home again 

22'! went to Alex"^ Macmurphys mill and Carried 2 bushell of Indian 
Corn and 1}<^ Turkey wheat and got the Indian gi-ound and Left the 
Turkey wheat and reed 3-10-0 from Hugh Gillis which he owed me and }^ 
a gallon of molasses from Maj'' Goffe and pd 20V for it 

25"' Viewed and estimated a lot of land in Goffs town no 12 in second 
Rang of Capt Moffet of Pcn-tsmouth for Ens" Richards 

29'h James Mathues Thrashed for me 

30"' went to Londonderry to meeting and heard Mr Macgregore preach 
from them words without holiness no man shall see the Lord 

NOVEMBER 

First went the funeral of Will'" Rauldns wife who departed this life 
about 11 o'clock of the 29"' ult at night & sold a bull to John Davis of 
Goffs town for 13 £ O: T: to be pd in a year with 3/6 per £ intrest 

2*1 brought a Cow and two Heifers from Londouderrv that was John 
Callwells 

3 4 & Fifth attended on an arbitration between Miller Moor and James 
Matliues at Major Goff'es 

8"' sold a Cow of John Callwells to Ncal Taggart for 30 £ and reed 24 £ 
O: T: and Hugh Blau- Came at noofl to helj:) me 

lO"' James Mathues Thrashed Oats for me and I so^^'ed the peice between 
the house and barn with Rie 



32 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

1P'> There fell a snow about 3 or 4 inches Deep out of the Northeast 

12"' Hugli Blau- weut away after breakfast the whole of what he helped 
me now was 3)4 days 

15*'^ Carried 4 bushells of Indian Corn to Alex'' Macmurphys mill but 
did not get it gi-oiind and his wife gave Susanna 2 gees which I fetched 
over with me 

16"' Mr Daivdson Pi-eached in Bedford from the 16"' of Romans and tlie 
latter part of the 7th verse and reed 10-10-0 O: T: from Mr Underwood 
on account of Tax I had pd him for Mr Parkers lott no 36 a Third Divi- 
sion in Sowhegan East Taxed in the Town of Merrymac about 3 or 4 t)f 
Clock in the morning there was a shock of an Earth Quake so hard that 
wakened my wife and I out of sleep 

17"' reed 3-10-0 O: T: from Tho^ Hall an 16V I owed him of y^ house 
expences which amounted to the whole of what he owed me for arbitra- 
ing for him and Joshua Folensbe with what I had before and 2*"/ toward 
my being out a day in Goffs town along with Ebenz'^ Stevens 

18"' went to new boston to Set my traps but got nothing and John Mac- 
laughlin helped y<^ 17"' and 18"' harrow my rie in 

2P' came home again and reed 6 £ O: T: from Neal Taggart being the 
remainder of the price of John Callwells Cow 

22'! pd John Maccurdy 6-10-0 O: T: which he gave me in a 12 £ bill when 
he pd me the tax and charge of his lot in Merrymac and pd Robert Walker 
my province rates being 6-8-0 O: T: 

24"' got my boots from Francis Barnet who new footed them and 
Charged me 4 £ old Tenor 

25"^ was the Publick Thanksgiving 

26"' John Duncan Came for me to make shoes and made a pair for Jonas 
Susanna & John & my wife 

28"' went to Londonderry to hear when y«' General Court was to sit 
which was to be the next Tuesday 

29"' fitted to go to Portsmouth and got John Bells Horse 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM NOV^ 29 1756 

30"' Set out for Portsmouth and went as far as Alex' Macmurphys and 
there reed an account that the General Court being farther adjourned till 
Tuesday the 14"' of Dec'"^ next 

DECEMBER FIRST 

Was a training at Ens" Goffes 

2'i John Maclaughlin went to Alex'' Macmurphys mill for me for which 
I was to give him half a days work and he got 4 bushells of Indian Corn 
from him & Indented to pay 36V for John Maclaughlin to him for ax Lay- 
ing which he pd for him 

3<i Let John Jewell have a side of Sole Leather at 5-7-0 and a side of 
upper Leather at 7 £ and he let me have a green hide at 4-6-0 and took 
his note of hand for the overplus with intrest at 2/6 pr pound till pd and 
went to New Boston to Tho'* Smiths for a Steer I had there 

4"' returned home with the Steer 



MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIARY. 33 

S''* Mr. Houston Lectured iu the forenoon from the 27"^ verse of y^ 5 of 
Matth"' ye 33'^ and preached in the afternoon on the 10* Chapter of Matth'*' 
and 12 verse 

6"^ got my horse shoos set with James Kennedy he steeled two of the 
shoos at the toe and all four at the heel and writ a deed from Widow 
Chandler to Matth"' Little 

7"^ John Little cut and Halld a load of wood for me and I made him a 
fore plain 

gth -vvrit a deed for widow Chandler from her to Tho" Boies 

11^'' Lieu' Moor helped me to kill my hogs which weighed 422 £ 

12'^" Mr Houston Lectiu-ed in the forenoon from the 33 verse of the 5"^ of 
Matth'**' to 38"^ verse and preached in the afternoon from the 10* of Matth"' 
and 12 

13*^ Prepared to go to Portsmouth 

14* Set out for Portsmouth in order to finish Tax affair 

26* returned home again and got the act for a Tax on the land in Bed- 
ford to pass the Lower & upper house & Left it in the Governors hands to 
see if he would attend to it and on the 23'^ I took the proper Oaths of a 
Justice of the peace and on the 24"* Delivered a Certificat to the Clerk of 
the peace therein from the secry 

29* Bought 62)^' £ of butter from James Hunter for 6^ 6'' pr £ amounted 
to 20-6-3 O: T: and pd him 6-10-0 in paper bills and a Dollar 

30* Got 3 bushel of Indian corn from Thos** Kennedy in what he owed 
me of the remainder of Two Steel traps and there was one bushel of Indian 
Corn more comeing to me of sd traps 

31^' Lent James macnight a Dollar 

JANUARY FIRST 1757 

Was a hail and Rain 

3'! borrowed 2 bushel of rie from John Maclaughlin Jun"" and took 2 
bushel of Corn that I had of Tho" Kennedy and got all ground at Callwells 
and let James Walker have a Dollar on James Macnights account pr 
Tocken that he borrowed on me Last week and sent it to Sam^^ Paterson 
by Isabel Maclaughlin 

5^^ went a hunting 

6* hunted in Company with W" MacDowell Sam^^ Cochran John Little 
& Tho" Maclaughlin and got a Deer apeice 

8* Bought 2 hind Quarters of Venison from Sam^^ Richards 44 weight 
a 1/6 pr £ amounting to 3-6-0 O : T : 

11* went a hunting and helped to kill a yearling Buck with The"* Ken- 
nedy 

12* Killed a Doe Fawn and a YearHng Buck 

13*'* Carried the meat out to the path 

15* brough it home 

17"* attended on an arbitration between Maj' Goffe and 'Capt Bushnell 
& bushnell gave me Two Dollars which I paid to Goffe and 6 / more of my 
own on account of Chees 

18* writ a Deed from Wido.v Chandler to Capt Moses Barron and 
3 



34 IVIATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

another from her to Capt Chamberhu and went iu the Evening to see her 
married to Andrew Bradford and she paid me for writing ChamberHns 
Deed and one to Tho^ Boies and another to Matth'' Little 

20*'^ went to Oalfs in Chester for a peice of Oloath he had di-essing for 
me he had sent it by James Walker and I paid his mother 1-12-0 O : 
T : there being 8 yds of Dressed Cloath according to his books and Hugh 
Blair came to my house that night 

24th ^veiit to John Burns for Will'" Caldwell with two Discharges and 
Charged him 20** old Tenor not pd and went in the afternoon to arbitrate 
between Maj'^ Goffe and Capt Bushnell 

25"^ Hugh Blah- was after Maj'' Goffe and 26"^ gave up om- judgement 
in the Evening attended on the Selectmen and -wTit and ackowl edged a 
Deed from John Holms to Robert Holms 

29"^ Hugh Blair was after Maj"^ Goffe reed 40 £ from John Thomas on 
account of Mr Livermores 3'' Division 

3P' Hugh Blau- was after Maj'' Goffe was a thaw and a considerable 
rain and I Granted three Deer Skins 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

Robert Mackeen Come and Complained of himself for Idlling a Deer 
and paid 5 £ O : T : as a fine 

The first five days of this month Hugh Blair Thrashed at Patersons 

gth Hugh Blair came to me from Patersons 

7"^ I was taken with a pain in the joyning of my hijips so that I was 
unable to do any work for several days 

10"^ I went to Litchfield to hear the case Tryed Between Will'" Holms 
wife and Patrick Taggart and reed 10 £ O : T : from Tho" Parker on ac- 
count of my surveying for the to^\ai of Litchfield and alowed himfto re- 
'ceive the remainder for what I owed him for shugar and a Quart of Rum 
the sum being 6-10-0 O : T : 

11"^ got 2 bushell of Potatoes from Gawin Riddel and gave him 40V 

12*^ bought 8 bushel of Indian corn from John Holms and gave him for 
it 6 £ in mony and B% yd of Checked woolen Cloath for a shirt and my 
wife made it up 

15"^ went watli Patrick Taggart to Will"' Holms to help to agree their 
Differauce but could not 

IQth -wi-it a Deed from Tho^ Maclaughlin to David macClure and two 
bonds and took the acknowledgement and reed 1-7-0 O : T : for it 

25''^ Got a Quart of rum from Majr Gott'e and pd him 18V for it and Bor- 
rowed one pound of shugar from him and got 4 bushel of rie ground & let 
John Callwell have a beaveret Trap and 10 £ in cash 

On the 23'' Hugh Blair began to Brake flax for us 

MARCH 4ti' 

was a training at James Walkers said to be a want of arms 

8"' Set out for Portsmouth and Lodged at Rob' Clarks and reed from 

him John Callwells wages being 29-3-11 new Tenor and gave him 6/8 

new Tenor for his pains 



JIATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 35 

9^^ Arived at Portsmouth 

18"* reed from the province Treasurer ou account of my going to Fort 
dunier in the year 1749 the sum of 22-12-6 and the sum of 18-3-6 for Maj'^ 
Gofte 

19th paid Goffe his at Mr Levits in Exeter all but 12^6'^ which I took for 
my pains of getting the account throw the General Coui't and arived 
home 

And on the 18th I took a Deed from Mr Livermore of his right in Bed- 
ford and paid him 200 £ and gave him a note of hand for another 100 £ to 
be paid in six months without Intrest and left 100 £ in money and 200 £ 
note for Col°'* Walensford for his right in Bedford with Daniel Peirce Esq"" 

22*1 was a training in Bedford and James Matthues Jun'' gave me 8 £ 
Old Tenor for assisting him against Miller Moor and reed 8-7-0 Old Tenor 
from James Karr on account of John Jewels note of hand I had off sd 
Jewel & reed 1-5-0 Old Tenor from John Smith of Gofts town to pay for 
a Deed quitting on land but Did not give me the Deed 

23'! paid John Little 5 £ that I reed from him before I went to Ports- 
mouth to buy Powder 

30"* was our annual march meeting and I was Chose town clerk & sur- 
veyor of timber and Treasurer 

31>*' attended at Co" Goffes and Swore all Peletiah Rusels men being 
twelve and 5 of John Parker and 22 of Col^ Goffes 

APRIL FIRST 

Swore 2 men for Co" Goffe and 7 men for John Parker being 48 men in 
the whole in these two Days 

4'^ was at James Walkers at a Tryal between Patrick Taggai't and Mrs. 
Holms in which Taggart got the case 

5"* was at James Walkers on John Pattens being apprehended by Mar- 
gret Holms for his Getting her with child for which he agreed with her 
for 300 £ old Tenor and he pd Charges 

9"* got a Quart of Rum from James Walker for which I pd him 18V O : 
T : and got 2 £ of Butter from Matth^ Littles wife & Did not pay her and 
swore William Macclintock to an account against Walter Mcfarlands 
estate and reed 20V O : T : from him and gave him no Change 

10"' Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon from the 7"* verse of the 6"' 
Chapter of Matthew and Downward to the verse and preached in the 
afternoon from the 18"* verse of the 5'** Chapter of the Romans 

11"* spent the day in settleing ^vith Mr Houston for what remained due 
to him for what he had preached in Bedford and found it to be 259 £ 16V 
6'^ old Tenor and settled with James Walker for what he had boarded the 
minister and keept their horses since March first 1756 to this day and 13V 
Old Tenor pr day the sum amounted to 55-5-0 old Tenor the settlement 
was signed accordingly by each party and lodged in my hand 

12"* reed from John MacNeal for John Smith of new boston 11-15-0 Old 
Tenor being the remainder of the price of the Steer I sold him last fall 



si 



•36 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

M*'^ Rob' Neasmith swore a teu shilling bill uew Teuor ou Rob' Mor- 
doch aud tliat he reed it for five pounds old Teuor 

15th gQ^, a Qiiart of Rum from Co'^ Goffe and pd him 18V for it aud 
There lacked ^2 ^ V^ o^ tlie Quart and Hugh Blair went to new boston 
who had helped lue 3 days before 

17th Mr Houston Lectiired in the forenoon from the 6"^ Chap of Mattli"' 
Gospel and on the latter part of the Lords Prayer and preached in the 
afternoon from the 18"^ verse of the 5"' Chapter of the Romans 

18'h Finished makeing 30 Squares of Sashes for Will™ Macclintock the 
size 5 by 7 and let Capt Bushuell have a jill of linseed oyl by Mrs Brad- 
fords order and John Maclaughlin swingled flax for me 

19"^ was Bondsman for Beuj" Smith to Peggy Holms for 110 £ old 
Tenor and John Maclaughlin S"wingled flax for me he in the two Days 
svringled 31 £ 

3P' Got a Quart of Rum from Co" Goffe and Did not pay for it in the 
afternoon was a town meeting in Bedford 

23^1 reed 3 £ old Tenor from Daniel Macmui-phy aud 8V he was to pay 
his Brother Alex'' for me towai'd a pair of snow shoes he had from me 
aud sent Alex'' Macmiu-phy his Deed along with him 

24th ]yjj. Houston Lectured in the forenoon from the 6"' Chapter of 
Matth^'' Gospel from the 16"' verse to the 23d and preached in the after- 
noon from the 5''' of the Romans and 19"' verse 

25th Went to Goffs town prop'^ meeting and was chose moderator aud 
got a Quart of Rum from Mr Goflfe and paid him for a quart I had the 
Thursday before 

26"' returned home again 

27"' John Maclaughlin Jun'^ Swingled flax for me 

28"' John Maclaughlin Juu'' had my oxen aud I went to Sam" Callwells 
and got 4 bushells of Rie ground 

29"' John Maclaughlin Juu' had my oxen 

30"' John Maclaughhn Swingled flax for me 

MAY FIRST 

Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon from the 22*1 verse aud of the 6"' 
Chapter of Math: and preached in the afternoon from the 26 Chap of 
Math: aud 41 verse from these words Watch aud pray that y"^ Enter uot 
into Teiuptation 

2'i Jolm Maclaughlin had my .oxen and Benj" Smith Brought me 38 £ 
old Tenor aud 2 Dollars in Silver more towards the lot on strabury hill 

3'i John Maclaughlin Swingled flax for me 

4*'' Set out for Portsmouth on account of getting the lot for Benj" Smith 
no 3 in the 10"' Rang and John Maclaughlin had my oxen 

5"' Benj'i Smith planted Potatoes for me aud John Maclaughlin swingled 
flax for me 

6"' Was The General Fast in the province 

7"' John Maclaughlin had my oxen aud I returned home again from 
Portsmouth 

8"' Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon for the 27"' verse of the 6"' 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 37 

Chapter of Mattli"' to the end of the Chapter and preached iu the after- 
noon from the 41 verse of the 26 Chapter of Mat: 

9^^ writ a Deed from Garret Rown to Alex'^ Orr and one from Alex'^ Orr 
to Rob' Morrial and took the acknowledgements 

13th ^yj-it; a Deed for James Walker to Sam" Paterson and took the 
acknowledgement and a Bond and a note on account Patersons part of 
pay Come to 15 £ O: T: to be settled by way of accompt 

15'h Mr Houston Lectured on the fii-st 6 verses of the 7 chapter of Math: 
and preached iu the afternoon from these words Quench not the Spirit 

IS'i^ Let Deacon Boies have a Bushel of flax at 3 £ old Tenor and Fin- 
ished makeiug 24 Squars of Sashes for John Bell Senior and gave Will"^ 
Macdugall a note for 5 £ old Tenor with intrest at 12-10-0 pr Ct per annum 
which I borrowed to Carrie on the affiar of Getting the tax for Bedford 

21*' had John and Rob' Holms and Will'" Macdugal helping me to Lay 
up the Log fence round my new land 

22'i Mr MacGregore preached in Bedford from the 3 of Ezk" and IT"' 
verse 

23^^ went to Alex'' Macmurphys mill but got none Ground 

24th went to Goffs tovm propr* meeting and Lodged at Alex' Walkers 
over night 

25"^ Attended three town meetings two had by adjourment and one by 
a warrant the fii'st time in Bedford and acknowledged a deed to Deacon 
Boies and ^^Tit a Caption on an oath for Tho"* Boies Sworn by James Moor 
Concerning a peice of Gold the acknowledgement nor the oath not pd 

30th -weut to Alex"^ Macmurphys mill with four biishel of Rie and could 
not get it ground and carried 2 Bushells of it to Hadleys and got it ground 
there and Crossed at Halls and got 7 shad at the falls 

31^' went to new Boston and Set Alex' Walkers trapp for Beaver and 
Lodged at George Christies 

JUNE FIRST 

returned home again and got nothing 

2^1 went to Namaskeag falls to fish 

3'i got 50 shad for my part and took bonds of Zebediah Heath to appear 
at Blairs on next Thiu-sday at Ten of the Clock iu the forenoon on account 
of passing a Counterfit Bill and Swore Six Evidences for Sam'' Gibson 
against Will'" Holms and my Horse Died the night following and knew 
not what ailed him 

4^'' went to the falls and got 24 shad 

6"i went to New Boston and got a Beaver in the trapp I had sett there 
and Lodged at George Christies 

7"* Came home again 

8"' went to Londonderry and had my Brothers mear 

9"i had Zebediah Heaths appear according to his recognizance but he 
Departed mthout Leave settled with R. P. Moi-rial for Alex' Orr and with 
Orr for Rowan and got 20« worth of Blanks that was my father iu laws 
and Came by Alex'^ Macmurphys and Brought home 4 Bushel of Meal 



38 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

10*'^ weut to Ainoskeag falls to Catch ell and reed 4 £ from Daniel Mac- 
ueal ou account of my surveying roads for him 

ll"i Got 20 Ells for my Divide and Rob' Macmurphy gave me 18 and I 
got a 19 £ salmon and a shad and 2 Laniper ells from Daniel Macueal on 
the above account 

12'^ Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon from the 7 8 9 10 11 & 12 
verses of the 7th Chapter of Matth^ and preached in the afternoon from 
the 5*'^ Chapter of First Thesalouians and 17''^ verse 

15 & 16''i was at New Boston with Will'" Gibson and Charged him 
5£0: T: 

17"^ the Commitee for Glassing the meeting house Came and we formed 
articles of agreement for sashes glass and setting it 

19"> Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon from the Seventh Chapter of 
Matthew and y 13 to y^ 2P' verse & preached in the afternoon from the G 
of Math: and the 33 verse 

31«' reed 1-16-0 old Tenor from Benj" Linkfield for 24 £ of Beaf he had 
fall before last 

22'^ was out along with Alex"' Maccolum running the Lines of no 4 the 
Third Division in merrymac & reed 2 £ O : T : and there is 30V yet due and 
got 17 Quarts of Rum from James Gregg a 3-10-0 pr Gallon and Gave him 
11 £ O: T: towards it and 26V he owed me for the acknowledgement of a 
Deed and recording it amounted to 12-6-0 Old Tenor and run the line 
between James moor and Sam'^ MacConoughy and Charged them 20^/ unpd 

23'i had Benj" Shiiths mear at Alex"" Macmiu-phys mill and got 2 bushel 
of Indian Corn from his wife 

27* Got 18 Quarts of Rum more from James Gregg in the whole being 
8 Gallons and 3 Quarts amount in all at 3-10-0 per gallon to 30-12-6 old 
Tenor and now remains due to him 18-6-6 O: T: 

JULY 4* 

Sold no one in the second rang in Goffs town on the north side of Pis- 
cataquog river to James Matthues of Bedford for 275 £ Old Tenor with 
Intrest at 2/6 per £ 

6*'^ went along with Will™ Campbell to Litchfield to see to setle with Mrs 
White but she was gon from home 

7 was at an examination of evidences between James Matthues Junr of 
Bedford and James moors wife of Merrymac Concerning Fifteen Yards of 
Linin Cloath that James matthues had stole from him 

10"" Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon from from the 18th to the 24 
verse of the 7 Chapt of Math: and preached in the afternoon from the 33'' 
verse of the Gf" Chapt of Math: 

11* Set out for Boston & had John Bells horse 

14"" returned home and pd Phineas Underwood the Tax ou Co" Wal- 
lingfords Third Division being No 67 Containing 80 acres 

17* Mr Houston Lectiu-ed in the forenoon from the 24"' verse to the end 
of the 7"" Chapter of Math: and Preached in the afternoon from the 35"" 
verse from the 12* Chapter of Mat: 

18* went to a town meeting 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 39 

20"> John Bellbrought 10 £ of Butter to us to be paid in silver 
22<i went to New Boston along with Mr Jenldns of Boston as far as 
Deacon Cochranes and had Sam'' Patersons horse for which Mr Jenkins 
Gave nie a Dollar 

26"' went to Goffs town to Deacon Karrs and Divided off 50 acres to 
Will'" Karr off the west side of his fathers Lott and writ a Deed and took 
the acknowledgement and Will'" Karr was to go to Will'" Stinsons and 
bring me 4 bushel of Corn to my house for the same and I gave him 8 £ 
old Tenor to pay for the Corn and had James Kennedys horse 

27"' Reed 8 £ from Mrs Gibson 5 £ of which was on account of my going 
to New Boston with her son William to Look a lot no 121 
28"' went to James Nochars Barn Raising in the afternoon 
29"' Will'" Karr brought me 3 bushel of Indian Corn from William Stin- 
son and brought back the 8 £ I gave him for to pay for it for they Could 
not make Change 

AUGUST FIRST 

went to Adam Wiers and got 21 yds of Duble Diemity for which he 
charged me 10 £ not pd and had James Wallace Cradleing rie and Ebenz'' 
Hackett binding up for me in the afternoon and sold to said Hackett the 
Common Land by Joseph Kennedys for 40 Dollars to be pd in 6 months 
■\vith intrest till pd 

2'' Went to Sam'' Callwells to an Examination of Evidences between 
James Matthiies and martha moor which Detained us till next morning 
and reed 3 £ of change from my Br out of an 8 £ bill which I sent with 
him to get me a Syth which Coast 5 £ and had James Wallace Cradling 
rie in the forenoon and had Hugh Mclnnish takeing up rie and Binding it 

4"' James Wallace finished Cradleing my Rie and Charged me 45V pr 
Day he was 3 days in all amounting to 6-15-0 old Tenor 

S'h Gave Ebenz' Hackett a deed of Common laud by Joseph Kennedy 
for 9 £ sterling and took his obligati(in for the money and Writ a Deposi- 
tion for Ann Gibson Concerning Rob' Giffins wife & Caption thereon 

6*'' Lent John Maclaughlin 5-18-0 old Tenor and Sowed Tm-nip seed 

8"' reed 30V from Alex'' MacColuni on account of his Father which he 
owed me and 10 £ for the tax on Mr Lows land in Bedford to Give to the 
Collector 

11* went along with Archibald Stark to Eliots and gave a Warrant of 
Apprisement to Daniel MacNeal and Willia"^ Eliot to apprise tliree Colts 
said Stark had pounded for which he gave me 4 £ old Tenor and I reed 4 £ 
old Tenor from Daniel MacNeal on account of my time about Derryfield 
highway 

12"' Bargained away my Land by James Karrs to Robert Matheis for 
450 £ old Tenor being 188 acres of it and my Wife was taken with her 
Travail pains and I went for the midwife in the evening and had Francis 
Barnets mare 

13"' My wife was Delivered between one and 2 aClock in the Afternoon 
of a man Child and I Gave Rob* Mathies a deed of the Laud I sold him 
yesterday and took his note for 20 Dollars to be paid on Demand with in- 



40 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

trest at 2^' pr £ but promised that if he pel me them in two months I 
wonlcl not take any Intrest and another note for 55 Dollars with the same 
Intrest to be paid in a year 

14"^ Carried the midwife home again and pd her her charge being 40V 
in the afternoon there was an Eclipse of the Sun being annnalar but it was 
cloudy and so could not be seen 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 14«^ A D 1757 

15"^ went to Londonderry for Mary Scobey to take care of my wife and 
had Francis Barnets mare and John Callwell Brought my mother in Law 
over 

16* Let John Caldwell have a Deer sldn and four pounds in Cash and 
took home Francis Barnets mare who would not take anything for what I 
had her to use 

18* began to mow in my meadow 

20* went to Derryfield to the Vendue of Three Colts that Archibald 
Stark had pounded on the 9 & 10* Instant and Taxed the Bill Being for 
Damages and Charges 26-16-6 and reed 4 £ old Tenor for my Day 

2P' John Caldwell came and Carried my mother in Law home again 

23'i went to Alex'' Macmurphys mill and had Matth^ Littles mare the 
Hie was carried there June 23^' and took 3 bushel of Indian Corn which I 
had from Will'" Stinson 

24t'> had John Bell Junr and Archibald Macalaster helping me mow 

25* had John Bell helping me mow 

27* had Sam'^ Patersons horse and Carried Mary Scobey home who 
would not make a charge for her time and I gave her 4 £ old Tenor and 
came home by Alex'^ Macmurphys and brought home about 2 or 3 bushel 
of Indian meal and writ 3 bonds for Tho^ Maclaughlin to his father and 
gave Sam'i Gibson a summons for six e^T-dences to be sworn on Friday the 
2<i of September at James Walkers Vs Holms 

30* had John McAlester and Jos Bell helping me Rake hay and we 
Cocked it by moonshine for which I gave them Twenty Shillings O : T : 

31**' Began to mow in the Little Meadow & Broke the heel of my syth 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

Got the heel of my syth mended and Carted 5 load of hay in out of my 
meadow 

2^ swore some evidences for Sam^'. Gibson against Will'" Holms and Mr 
Houston came here 

4"' Mr Houston Lectured in in the forenoon on the fii-st Chapter of John 
and Preached in the afternoon on the being the first sermon ever preached 
in our meeting house 

5* swore 2 evidences for Sam^i Gibson against Will'" Holms and set out 
for Portsmouth being summoned by James Mathies and Mr Houston went 
away 

6* arived there and sit in the sessions the afternoon 

7* sit in the sessions and was summoned by Sam'i Gibsons attorney in 
his Case & Mr Houston came back 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 41 

S"* was smnmoned by Rob* Wallace for his Brother James Concerning 
Archibald Starks Impounding a Colt of his and he gave me 10/ and at- 
tended all day and Mr Houston went away again 

9*-^ attended as an e\ddence 

10"^ arived home 

11th ^Ij. Houston Lectured in the forenoon on the 12 13 & 14 verse of the 
First Chapter of John and preached in the afternoon from the 4 Chap : 
of Amos and 13 verse 

12"' made a Coffin for James Peters Juu' who Died of the small Pox and 
Charged 4 £ old Tenor 

13* went to a conferance which was proposed -with Mr Houston at the 
meeting house 

14th Brought in the last of my hay out of my meadow 

18"' Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon on the 15 16 17 18 verses of 
the First Chapt of Saint John and Preached in the afternoon from the 
14 and 15 verses of the 3'^ same chapter of the same book 

20"' attended on the Selectmen Concerning the tax in the forenoon and 
attended a town meeting & Lida Roby came to live mth us 

21^' assisted the Selectmen and Drawed the Warrant to the Collector and 
a Bond from the Collector to the selectmen for his performing the Levy- 
ing and Collecting and paying the sum of the tax being 459 : 12 : 11 New 
Tenor according to the Warrant 

25* being Sabbath day attended the fimeral of Benjamin smiths young- 
est Child who Died of the feaver and flux 

26"' went to Tyngs and got several Things and had John Bells horse and 
got them a Poringer that coast 4/6 Bay Money 

27"' went in the afternoon and heard Mr Houston Preach his Popaler 
Sermon from John 5 & 40* verse and got 2 gallon of Rum from James 
Greg Lacking 1^^ Jill and did not pay 

28"' Mr John Houston was ordained in Bedford Mr True of Hampstead 
prayed and Mr Parsons preached from the 1 Chapter of First Timothy and 
11 verse a Mr MacGregore Gave the Charge and Mr True gave the Right 
Hand of Fellowship and Mr White Glosester Concluded by Prayer and I 
paid Adam Weirs son 10 £ old Tenor on account of his Fathers weving a 
peice of Cloath this summer 

29"^ paid Ann Maccolum 30 £ old Tenor on account of a Note she had of 
mine the prinsaple being 26-12-0 and the Intrest amounted to the above 
sum and I reed 50"/ from Ebenz"" Johnson on account of my going to View 
a lot in Goffs town in the year 1756 and took up a Counterfit four pound 
Bill from said Ann Maccolum 

30* Carted home a load of hay from the Little meadow 

OCTOBER FIRST 

Measured of to Hugh Ridell 598 feet of Pitch pine plank for his Dam 
and he gave me an account of what Plank he had last f aull which he said 
was 1030 feet being in the whole 1628 feet for which he is to give me 
Double that measure of Boards for them 

2'i Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon from the verses of the first 



42 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Chapt : of John and preached in the afternoon from the 12"' Chapt : of 
Luke and 32<i verse 

4th Went and Run round the lot no 71 a home lot for Mr Daniel Sygonie 
for which he gave me 34^' in Silver money and spent aboiit one half hour 
with two New Town men in Converstation and they gave me 5V7'^ in silver 

5'h brought home a Load of hay from the Little Meadow and in the after- 
noon went to a town meeting held by adjoiu-nment 

6* Settled -s\ath Samuel Patterson and gave him 4 £ old Tenor and owed 
him 3-14-0 all but a last and he is to make me a pair of Shoes and John 
which we reckoned in the above sums which was not made when we 
Counted and went to James Greggs and Had a Jill of Rum and gave him 
12V old Tenor and had no Change from him 

7"' sent Mrs Bell a poringer that Coast 4V6'V silver by her Daughter 
Rachel which I got at Tyugs the 26th ult for her 

9"i Mr Houston preached from the 12 Chap of Luke and 32d verse 

10* Lyda Roby went home in the morning all she had been here this 
summer is 4 weeks and 3 Days 

12t'> settled with Mrs Margaret Bell for what Butter we had from her 
this Sumer which was 27 £ and settled at 4V pr £ Silver money and paid 
her all and )^' a pestiereen over which she was to give a pound of Butter 
for The silver I gave her was 2 Dollars and 2 pistereens and one half a 
piestereen by a poringer of Pewter 

13th y^i^ a Supplycation to the Pi-udential Commitee of Goffs town for 
a prop'^" meeting to be held Nov'^^ S"' next 

14'i» Killed one of my Steers and James Linn helped me which weighed 
400 of beaf 70 Hide 21 Tallow amounting at 2V pr £ to 61-7-6 old Tenor 

15'!^ Lent my brother Samuel 18>2 £ of Beaf and paid "William Caldwell 
37-3-11 on a bond which he had from me the year 1751 of 18-10-0 the bond 
bore Intrest from Ocf 4 1752 a 3^' pr m Intrest on Intrest and he paid me 
1-4-0 for my writing 2 Discharges between him and John Burns in Nov''^ 
1756 and going to see them Executed and and got 13 bushell of Potatoes 
from William Moore a 25V pr bushell and agreed to make the sashes for his 
house and help him set the glass for 4 shillings pr squar 

Igth j^j. Houston Lectiu'ed in the forenoon on the Latter part of the first 
Chapter of John and preached in the afternoon from the twelfth Chapter 
of Luke and 32 verse 

18*^ went to the Vendue of Abraham Macneals goods and bought 2 iron 
wadges a 3 £ and an ax at 32V 

19th gQ^ jjjy plough shear Steeled with James Kennedy the steel was 
mine and Col" Goffe swore me as treasurer for the town for the present 
year & went to a town meeting in the afternoon 

20"' I had Thrustou Barnet Come to help me on Elez^ Wells a 3-10-0 pr 
week account for me to go and survey for him and Drawed a Complaint 
for Alex"' Orr against James Gregg for a breach of the peace 

23'! Mr Houston Lectured on the latter end of the First Chapt of John 
and preached in the afternoon from the 12 Chapter of Liike and 32 verse 

24"' let Mr Houston have 60 £ old Tenor of the tax money and took his 
note of hand for it and paid John Bell Jum* 126 £ O : T : by an order from 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 43 

the Selectmen for his Boarding and Shingling the meeting house and he 
pd me his tax being 1-8-0 N : T : 

25t'i pd Hugh Blair 9 £ Old Tenor and 20V by putting a Deed he had from 
Deacon Cochran on Record for what he helped me last fall and winter 

27"! I Idlled my Steer and Lynn helped me he had 62 hide 376 beaf the 
Tallow I did not weigh and let James Lynn have a hind Quarter which 
weighed 94 at 2/6 came to 11-15-0 and William Baruet had the other hind 
Quarter which weighed 96 at 2/6 came to 12 £ 

28 let John Caldwell have 4 £ old Tenor and went to Lo : Derry to help 
settle with Alex'- Caldwell 

29"^ on the same business 

30"! heard Mr MacGregore Preach from the 43*^1 Psalm and verse and 
came home again 

NOVEMBER 

2'' Picked Pine and Jonas got his leg hurt a bringing home the last load 
and I was with the Mr Houston in the afternoon running lines 

4"! Paid Daniel Pierce Esq' 54 £ old Tenor on account of Benj" Smith 
for a Note of 9 Dollars which Note I gave last may for sd Smith toward 
the price of a 50 acre lot of Land he had' from said Peu-ce being no 3 in the 
10 Rang of lotts in Bedford and gave Mr Houston have a Deed from Gauin 
Riddel to him of 10 acres and a bond from him to Riddel for a Deed for 8 
acres and 54 rods which I had writ for them 

8^^ was at a Prop''^ Meeting in Goffes town and lodged at James Karrs 
and pd William Stinson 4 £ old Tenor and what I had done for him about 
his Case and Meshes (?) paid him for the 3 bushel of Corn that I had from 
him by William Karr last summer 

9"i Came home again and went to Gauin Riddels and got fo hiishel of 
Turnips and brought away what boards I left there 

10"» went to Litchfield to Col" Blanchards Barn raising and had Matth^^ 
Littles mare and he workt at the highway for me and I was to ask advice 
of the Col Concerning Matth* Littles Swap with Benj" White and tarried 
all night at Gibson 

U*'' came home again and reed 31V O : T : a fine from Sam" Caldwell 
for Hugh McDuff ee for swearing one Pi'ophane Oath and Did as much 
^\^-iting for Phineas Lund as came to 40V O : T : and reed the money 

12"^ pd Sam'i Patersou 3 £ O : T : being in full of all I owed him for his 
makeing Shoes for me 

13"! Mr Houston Preached from the 6 Chap" of Epesians and 19"^ verse 

14th William Taggerts son John Came to me to work & I was to give 
him lOV pr day and I set up the grave stone to my Fathers Grave and 
put two stones to Math^ grave 

15*'^ John workt at the highway and I went to his Fathers and surveyed 
his land and Col" Clark was to pay the coast and I charged 50V massachu- 
setts money for surveying j^laning and Scpiaring the Chainmen and -svi-it- 
ing the Caption thereon 

16"' John Taggert went to Alex"" Macmurphys mill and he sent me 2 



44 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

busliell of Indian Meal and a bushell of Rie Ditto and about three fourths 
of a bushell of Wheat Do 

and on the IS*!^ John Goffe had my oxen 

17**^ was Thankesgiving 

18*^'^ Vilot came to our House to work 

19*11 settled with Richard Ayers for what Sole Leather I had from his 
last year being 36X £ towards which I let him have one hide weighing 35 
and another 43 and pd him the remainder being 13-19-0 and John workt 
at the highway and I went to John Davises to agree with him for to Clear 
some land on no 26 in the 2 Rang and measured 4 acres for to Clear the 
same I offered him 10 £ pr acre and he took it to Consideration 

21**' assisted the Selectmen aid Drawing the tax bill 

22'i went to Baxters and got Some things he brought for me from Bos- 
ton to the amount of 4-18-0 in Silver 

23'i sowed my Rie 

24"i filled a summons for James Mathies Jimr for 20 Evidences to be 
Sworn on Monday next wherein James Moore & his wife are Plan' and 
\vi'it a Notification to the Plan' to be present at the Captions takeing 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 24 A D 1757 

26*'^ fell a snow about three or four inches deep and I himted but got 
nothing 

26"' John Taggart went home the whole of what he was here was 10 
days 

28 & 29"> and the night between them days I was swearing evidences 
and dra^\'ing their Depositions for James Mathies Juu'' against James Moor 
and at their agreement 

30"' let John Bell have l^g bushel of Rie and am to have Indian Corn for 
it at the Exchange of 1 Jo bushel of Indian for 1 bushel of Rie 

DECEMBER FIRST 

assisted the selectmen in makeing the town and Province rates 

Qth -vvrought at the highway to New boston 

7"' attended the funeral of John Quigs Daughter Elizabeth 

U"' attended the funeral of Isabel Maclaughlin 

14th paid to John Caldwell £ 31 : 10 : Old Tenor to pay for 2 shirts he 
had from Esq'^ Boies and two Dollars he borrowed when he was a soldier 
and for makeing his Leather Britches and the remainder for pocket ex- 
penses being 1-16-0 and reed 35-6-10 old Tenor from Mr Andrew Bradford 
on the acct of a bond and a Note I had of his 

15"' my wife went to Lo : derry and had John Maclaughlins Jun' mare 
and I went to Will'" MacDools and got Mr Ashpanwalls mare on tryal in 
order to buy her and killed a buck which Tho^ Miller and James Aiken 
had wounded & they gave me half the meat 

16"' went and accompany ed Mr Houston home with his wife from Mr 
Underwoods 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 45 

17'*^ reed a Beavers skin from Johu Wortliley that he owed me for the 
lioan of 2 trapps and I bought 2 sable skins one Mink one Otter one Fisher 
skin of him and gave him 18 £ old Tenor for him and James Kennedy set 
a shoe on Mr Ashpanwalls mare for me and I gave him one half peistereen 

18"^ being Sabbath day was a most Tedious storm of Snow and no per- 
sons went to meeting The Wind about N B E and blowed Exceeding hard 
and Snow Drifted 

20'^ went to Goflfes town to a prop""^ meeting by adjournment and got a 
pair of Leather britches that Mrs Voce made for me she owed me the one 
half makeing on acct of a table and the other half he owed me by writings 
done about David Smiths affairs and his 

2lst I got 3)^' bushel of Indian Corn from John Bell and I got it Ground 
into Meal at Col" Goffes 

22*1 1 bought a mare and saddle from Mr Tho^ Ashpanwall for 18 Dollars 

24"^ Got 2% bushel Rie ground into meal at Goffe and my wife came 
home from Lo : Derry 

25'h Mr Houston Preached from the 6 chapt of Ephesians and 19"^ verse 

26"^ assisted the Selectmen in makeing the town rates 

29'*^ reed 2 Dollars and a pistereen from Henry Ferguson being tlie tax 
on his land in Bedford for both years the Quantity being 65 1^ acres and 
put up a window for John Bell in the fore side of his house and had the 
Commitee examin my acets for Getting the tax on the land in Bedford and 
was alowed 222-18-1 old Tenor and reed an order on the Collector for the 
same and lent John Maclaughlin 34 shillings old Tenor 

30*^ administered four oaths about a Counterfitt 4 £ bill to William Alld 
and his wife and Beuj" Walton and he on Hezekiah Love joy and he on 
Will'" Hogg 

JANUARY FIRST 1758 

Being Sabathday Mr Houston Preached from Ephesians the sixth chap 
and the 19 verse 

2'^ took up and Counterfitt eight £ bill from Lieut John Moor and he 
swore it on Johu Gillmore of London : Derry and bought 10 Dollars from 
David Macnight and gave him 60 £ old Tenor for them 

3'' reed from Lieut John Moor his and his son John s Province rates and 
1-5-0 old Tenor towards their town rates 

4t'> pd William MacDugal 34 £ old Tenor 3-19-8 being the intrest due on 
his money to this day and the remainder being 30-0-4 to the Prinsaple and 
alowed 4 £ in the said 34 which Matth"' Little gave him so that the sum he 
reed in speeia from me was 30 £ and reed 2 £ old Tenor from Ebenez'' Cos- 
ton toward 25 / in silver he owed me 

5^^ pd Mr Tho^ Aspinwall 3 Dollars and offsett Ten Dollars wth Major 
White which he engaged to pay Aspinwall for me and I gave my note to 
Sami' Patten for 60 £ old Tenor which he was to pay as his part of Charges 
in Goffes town and Changed recets accordingly 

6^'' James Kennedy Drawed a rod for me and welded it to a bitt to Boor 
for Gun rod places in Stocks 

8"' Mr. Houston preached from Ephesians 6 & 19 



y 



46 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

9*^^ James Kennedy shod my mare and made 2 new shoes all my iron 
except about fo ^^^ old shoe 

10*'^ was not well and Daniel Macmnrphy went up with his wife to new 
boston 

12"^ I went to Lo : Derry and settled with Elias Dickey's Exec"" my aver- 
age was 6-12-1^4 and what things I bought at Vendue came to 10-13-11 so 
that I pd him 4 £ old Tenor 

13"^ assisted Robt Macmurphy in examing John Jamesons papers and 
his uncle Alex'^^ 

14"! Came home again and he gave me 2 bushels of Barley 

15"> Mr Houston preached on Ephesians 6 & 19 

16*'^ it began to snow and fell upward of 20 inches deep a very solid sno^v 
it fell in less than 24 hours 

17"^ let Sam'i Cochrane have my mare to Aunis Orrs wedding 

19'^^ he brought her home again and gave me 3 £ old Tenor for her Joui*- 
ney 

20"^ went to Goffes mill and got 1^ bushels of rie ground into meal and 
reed a calfs skin from Capt Barron which he had a tanning for me 

22'^ Mr Houston Lectured on a part of the 3d chapter of Johns Gospel 
there was but 15 persons at the meeting by reason of the snow which was 
Deep and poor paths 

27"' Hugh Mclnnish Thrashed for me and I was away Veiwing no 12 
in the 4th rang in order to Swap my two home lotts (viz no 38 & 40) with 
Capt Barron for sd no 12 

28"* got 23^ bushels of rie ground being what Hugh Mclnnish tlirashed 
the day before and agreed with Capt Barron on the above swap and was 
to exchange even & William Macdugal ciit wood for me 

29*'* Mr Houston Lectiu-ed on ye 3d Chap'"^ of Johns Gospel this day there 
was but 11 persons at meeting 

30"* filled up the Deed between Capt Barron and I but did not sign them 

31**' Sani'^ Pater son came to me to mend shoes 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

Set out to go to Mr Lunds in Merrymac and went as far as Benj" Smiths 
and was so much out of Case that I came home again 

2^ Sam^i Paterson finished mending shoes and charged me £1-10-0 old 
Tenor 

3<^ spent the day in Drawing a warrant to the Collector and Recording 
the tax 

4th There was a Violent Wind and the snow Drifted very much 

5'^ Mr Houston Lectured on the last Verses of the Third Chapter of 
Johns Gospel there was 15 persons at Meeting this day 

gth Hugh Mclnnish Thrashed for me and I reed a Deed from Capt Barron 
of no 12 in the fourth Rang in Bedford and Col" Goffe came to Capt Bar- 
rons and took the acknowledgment and I gave Capt Barron a Deed of nos 
39 & 40 home lotts on Merrimack river and acknowledged Deed at the 
same time 

9"* John Bell brought me a bushel of Indian Corn with what I had be- 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 47 

fore made 4>^ bushel and lent me 2 bushel of Indian and I went to mill 
and got 2i'2 bushels ground into meal 

W^ went to William Duncans Junr and Got 5^.^ Quarts of Molasses 1 lb 
of Chocolate 2 ounces of tea & 2} A doz" of Black horn Bottons & an Alma- 
nack 

12"' Mr Houston Lectured on the fore part of 4th Chap'' of Johns Gospel 
this day we met in meeting house and see the star Venus as soon as meet- 
ing was ended 

13"' let John Bell have Ifa bushels of Rie which with 1}4 bushels of 
Rie he had got before was in Exchange for the 4^2 bushel of Indian men- 
tioned on the 9^^ Instant and see y"^ aforesaid Star in the afternoon 

U"' spent the afternoon with the Selectmen in finishing the Land tax 
assessment and went to Goffs and brought hom a bushel of Indian meal 
which I had there 

15'^ finished putting the Land tax & warrant on "Record and went to the 
Collector with them and Qiialified him 

18"' writ a Deed of the Lott no 25 a Third Division in Bedford from 
John Tufts of Frankfort to Daniel Moore of sd Bedford and sent to James 
Little and got 4 £ of butter 

19"' Mr Houston Lectured from the 10"' to y 19"' verse of the 4 Chap" 
of Johns Gospel 

22^1 Borrowed one bushel of Indian Corn from John Bell and got it 
Ground into Meal 

24"' my mare Dyed which was taken with the Botes and Staggers the 
Botes fastened in the entrance of her maw and stopped the Passage and as 
I was a pouring some molasses and Butter into her she strangled and Dyd 
and gave Sam'^ Gibson the deposition I took for him to go to September 
court to go to His and Will'" Holms arbitrators 

25th Drawed a Coppy of William Barnets & Martha McKiuney Deposi- 
tion for Will"' Holms 

26"' Mr Houston Lectured from the 19"' to the 25"' verse of the 4 the 
chap''' Johns Gospel 

27"' went to William Duncan Jun'' and got 514 Quarts of molasses and 
got one bushel of Rie ground at Goffes mills and was Summoned to appear 
at Sami' Rankins to give Evidence of what I knew in the Case between 
Will'" Holms and Sani'^ Gibson 

MARCH FIRST 

Went to Lo : Derry to give evidence concerning Mrs Gibson and Mrs 
Holms 

2*1 Waited all day at Rankins till the arbitrators had sealed up their 
Judgments and was not Called on and went a Lodged at Mr Aeyers 

3'^ bought 2 shirt Cloaths of Checkquered linin from James Ramsey for 
John Caldwell and pd 17-10-0 for them at 50V pr yd & Came home again 
and got my steel trap from John Barnets which he brot from CharlestoAvn 
last fall and got 5}4 Quarts of Molasses from Will"' Duncan Jun'' which I 
pd him 4 £ for 

4"' borrowed 2 bushel of corn from John Bell & got it Ground into meal 



-48 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

and assisted the Selectmeu and Drawed a Warrant for a the March meet- 
ing 

5"! Mr. Houston Lectured from the 25"^ to the 39t'> of the 4*'^ Chapter of 
Johns Gospel 

6"^ Got 1}4 bushel of Turnips from Lieu' Moore and lie would take noth- 
ing for them 

IC^ borrowed 3 butter tubs fulls of Indian Corn from Patersons People 
and got a bushel of Rie ground into Meal 

11"^ got 2}^ bushel of the Corn I got from the Patersons ground and had 
my Brs mare to mill and Mr Harris Jun' Came to me to work 

12"^ Mr Houston lectured from the 39"^ to the end verse of the 4^'^ Chap- 
ter of Johns Gospel 

13"^ Vilot went home and I got 7 £ & 10 ounces of Butter from James 
Little and Rob' Macmurphy sent me about Killing Deer by William 
Holms 

15"^ James Kennedy made me 3 small plain Irons the Steel was mine 
and the iron was his 

16"^ I bought 5 Red fox skins and a Black Cats skin from Will'" Moore 
of new boston for 15 £ old Tenor and I paid him 7-7-0 and the Rest is 
Due 

17"^ borrowed 2 bushel of Indian Corn from John Bell 

18"^ Mr Harris finished Turning my" great and Straight Body Coat and 
Charged me 10 £ and received 8 £ old Tenor from John Maclaughlin to- 
wards his Rates and at the same time reed a Note of hand from said Mac- 
laughlin of 8 £ old Tenor against John Mash to recover from him and I 
vn-it a pair of Indentures for Alex"' Walker and Charged him 32V old 
Tenor and he gave me a 30V bill with one Cliaracter gon to get changed in 
the Treasury 

19"i Mr Houston Lectured in the Beginning of the 5 Chap of Johns Gos- 
pel 

22'! borrowed 2}2 bushell of Indian Corn from Gavin Riddel and had his 
mare to go to mill I got l}.^ bushel of it ground and a bushel of Rie being 
the last of my Rie 

23'! went to William Duncans Jun' and got 5^£ Quarts of molasses & 3 
pounds of shugar a 12V pr £ and a pound of Chocolate a 32V amounting in 
whole to 7-13-0 and paid 6-10-0 of it 

24"^ James Lynn helped me to kill my Hoggs and I bought 4 red fox 
skins from George Christie and gave him 8 £ for them 

26"^ Mr Houston in the 5"^ Chapter of Johns Gospel and preached in the 
afternoon fioni the 9 and 10"^ verses of the 9 Psalm 

27th -v^ent to Mr William Lunds in Merrymac to Settle his Estate 

29'^ returned home again and reed 6 £ old Tenor on ye acct and in the 
afternoon attended our annual March meeting and was chose Clerk and 
Treasurer and Surveyor of Timber and Qualified the town officers 

31*' Had my bros mare and went to John Holms and got 4 bushel of 
Indian Corn which I pd liim for last year and got it Ground into meal 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 49 

APRIL FIRST 

DraAved an acct for Rob' Mvirdogli on the Coiiit*''" of war for the Proviuce 
of New Hampshii-e and attested the same 

2'i Mr Houston Lectui-ed in the forenoon on the fifth Chapter of Johns 
Gospel and preached in the afternoon on the 9th and 10th verses of the 9th 
Psalm 

3<^ was our annual meeting by adjournment and attended the same & 
John Bell Junr brought 5^^ Quarts of molasses from Will™ Duncan which 
I am indebted for 

4'h Sani'i Patterson Soled and heeled taped a pair of shoes for me and I 
writ indentures of Jos Bell to Francis Barnet for which John Bell was to 
pay me 30V old Tenor 

5th iiad John Bells horse to Litchfield and got 4 bushel of Corn from 
James Underwood and gave him 3-10-0 Silver money for it and got it 
ground at Capt Chamberlains for paying for the toll which I am indebted 
for 

10"' set out for Newbury and had Will'" Barnetts mare 
11"' bought 3 bushel of salt from James Duncan and paid for it and 
brought aw^ay 2 bushel of it and one I have yet to get and sold Mr Carter 
22-3-6 Mass O : T: worth in furs 
12"' returned home again 

13"' finished makeing 78 squars of Sashes for Will''' Moor & James Ken- 
nedy hooped a pott for me with 2 hoops 
14'*' Was the Provincial Fast 

15"' James Kennedy Hooped a pot for me and Drawed gun stick Bitt rod 
anew for me and writ a Letter of Recommendation for Mr. James Under- 
wood to the Governor for a Cornorer and got 17 £ of sheeps wool and ^o 
£ of peper from James Little which he bought from Boston for me for 
which I sent 5 Dollars 27V 6 penies and a pistereen the wooU was UV per 
£ the peper was 10 V I reed no Change 

17"' set out to go to Joynt-grass to Joseph Fletchers to get Corn and Rie 
that James Underwood had spoke for and had Rob' Gillors horse and bor- 
rowed 4 Dollars from my mother and 3 from James Underwood. 

18*'' bot 15 bushel of Indian Corn from said Fletcher a 20V per bushel 
and 5 of Rie a 30V pr Bushel and pd the money in Silver and Brot home 4 
bushel with me 

19"' was training in Bedford and I Beat for John Parker for soldiers and 
I \ATit 2 Deeds one from Tho^ Gregg to Will'" Moor of Londonderry and 
took the acknowledgement and charged 1-4-0 old Tenor not pd and another 
from Eben'^ Hackett to George Addison pd and Drawed a Complaint and 
Warrant for Alex' Parker of Litchfield against John Moor the 3d of 
L : Derry unpd and bot a double Pistole from Joseph Cochrane for paper 
money unpd and Caused John Taggart to be apprehended for Breach of 
the Peace on James Mathies and appointed him to meet me the next 
morning at 8 of the Clock 

20"' spent fore part of the Day in Drawing a Complaint and Warrant and 
bringing the affair to an agi-eement 
4 



50 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

21^' Got 12 £ and a half of sheeps wool that Gauin Ridel brot from Bos- 
ton for me I sent what money pd for it all but ly 2'^ Mass Old Tenor 

23'^ Mr Houston Lectured in forenoon in 5 Chapter of Johns Gospel and 
preached in the afternoon from the 9 & lO''^ verses of the 9 Psalm and 
finished on that Text 

24"^ was oiu- March meeting by adjournment and another meeting called 
this Day 

26"^ was a training 

27"^ was a training and I went to it in the evening and reed a Dollar for 
my trouble and Complaint and Warrant and ^\^.■iting 2 Depositions Con- 
cerning James Mathies Case and J Taggart Will'" Moor Dan^^ Moor and 
Robt Giffins 

28"^ Got 2 bushel of Potatoes from Tho** Boies and a 36V pr bushel and 
Gave him 4 £ and got no Change and got almost a bushel from James Lit- 
tle and Did not pay him 

On the 25"^ I reed a side of upper Leather From Rich<i Ayers which he 
had tanned for me and Carted 5 hides for him to the River and 2 ox hides 
and my mares skin for him to Tann for me for pay 

30"^ Mr Houston Lectured on the Latter end of the 5 Chapter of Johns 
Gospel and preached in the afternoon from the 16 verse of the 28 Chapter 
of Isiah 

MAY FIRST 

pd Will'" Moore of New Boston 6 £ being what I owed him for what 
sale fur I had from him on the 16*'^ of last March and bot a rakoon skin 
from him and gave him 55V for it 

2'i went to Col'^ Goffes and Settled the affair of Alex' Parker of Litch- 
field and John Moor of L : Derry and reed a Johanna from sd Moor pd him 
10-15-0 O : T : in Change that it come to more than the Charges 4 Dollars 
and 16/ Old Tenor was coming to Tho^ Parker for his fees which I reed 
toward an order which Zekeil Mihill gave me on him 

6*"^ paid James Paterson the Indian Corn I borrowed from them on the 
10''^ of March Last and writ Rob* Giflins will and sent by him to Boston 
for a Calf skin and gave him a Dollar to buy it 

T'h Mr Houston Lectm-ed in the beginning of y<^ 6"^ Chapter of John & 
preached in the afternoon on Isaiah 28 & 15 

8*'^ took the Power of Attorney from Ebenz' Hackett and Bot Sam'^ 
Pattersons half of Otter sldn which was between him and me for % ^ I^ol- 
lars worth of ammunition 

9"^ Had Tho^ Maclaughlins and John Bells horse to Joseph Flathers and 
brot away 6 bushell of Indian and 2 bushell of Rie and had it ground at 
Chamberlins for pay and pd John Bell 4 bushell that I borrowed from him 
in winter and sent to Tyngs by John Maclaughlin for 1 £ of powder and 
2% of Lead for Sam" Paterson for his Otter skin 

10"' went to Namasldeg falls and watched that night following in com- 
pany with John Kidder 

14.th ]vir Houston Lectured in the forenoon in ye 6th Chapter of John 
and preached in the afternoon from the 16 of the 28 of Isaiah 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 51 

IS*"^ Reed from Rob' Mackeen 3 £ old to take the acknowledgment of 
the Deed he had from Jno Lyons and to put the Deed on Record and to 
writ his will and he brought me a Calf s sldn and a pound of jinger and an 
ounce of heirspickery that Rob' Giffin brot me from Boston for which I 
have given him 1 Dollar and one English Shilling the Jinger coast oV and 
the Heirspickery 6V 

22<i went to Tho'* Halls and got a Quart of Rum and "svi-it a Notiiication 
for Arch'' Stark to James Wallace to attend to here some affidavits taken 
on the SP' instant at Tho^ Halls and took the , acknowledgment of a Deed 
from Tho^ Hall to Ebenz"^ Wells which was lodged w' me to take it att 
some opportunity and have not reed pay for it my Charges in Thos Halls 
this spring with the rum got this Day is 45V old Tenor 

24"' had Robt Badger and my Brs mare and plough a furrownng my 
land 

29"' had James and Daniel Moor and John Gihnoor and Will'" Macdugal 
and Nathaniel Paterson helping me to plant my Corn 

30"' had Daniel Moor and Nathaniel Paterson helping me to finish my 
planting and I went to Namaskieg 

31^' took 3 Depositions for Archibald Starke and a pint and a jill of Rum 
and a mug of Cyder at Tho** Halls and got 44 £ of Salmon for my part 

JUNE 2'i 

Sent a Quantity of Money by Col" Goffe to Rob' Clark to get Exchanged 

at Portsmoiith of Divers persons 

7"' Shared at the setting place 3 Salmon and part of another 

8"' Granted a writ to Henry Barton against Josiah French both of 

Holies to be tryed on Tuesday the 27 of this instant 

On the 2d I went to Litchfield and got 4 bushel of Corn from James 
Underwood and gave him a Johanna and alowed him to buy me corn with 
the overplus being 6 Dollars and got a hat which John Parker brought 
from Portsmouth for me and I bought a horse from Widow Russel in 
Litchfield and a Bridle for 20 Ki Dollars and I pd her the % Dollar and gave 
her my note of hand for 20 Dollars of Old Tenor equal thereto on or before 
the 24th of Ocf^ next 

8 & 9"' fished at Namaskeag falls and got 120 Shad and I gave Rob* 
Macmurphy 10 of them and I got 4 shad and a small Salmon for my part 
from the setting place Will'" Peters fished for me by y*' halves 

10"' took two Depositions for Archi'* Starke and bot 1 otter and 2 sable 
skins from Ebenz'' Martin for 3 £ in Dollars and gave him a Dollar which 
I got from Starke on the 8"' instant I sold my saddle this week to John 
Little for 2>^ Dollars and reed 2^ and filled a Court writ for Will'" MacDii- 
gal against Benj" Linldield which answered for 2 days he helped me one 
last Winter and one in May last 

12"' Writ a letter for Ar'' Starke to Mr Livermore Esq'' and went a frol- 
icking to Namaskeag with my wife and borrowed from Tho" Hall 40y and 



52 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

pd Ebeu'' Martin for otter and sables I bot of him and gave Hall 6 £ old 
Tenor for the 40V borrowed and 4 £ toward my fishing expenses 

IS^h Went to Namaskeag falls and returned home again and returned 
home the 16th and got with what I had got before made 320 shad 

17tii writ 4 advertisements for John Taggart for a Colt he impounded 

18"^ Mr Houston Lectured on the 6"^ Chapter of Johns Gospel and 
preached in the afternoon of the 5 6 and 7 verses of the 1st Chapter of 2d 
peter 

19*'^ viTit a warrant for apprizement of the Colt John Taggart pounded 
on the 17"^ and Drawed a Complaint and warrant for Moses Stiles against 
Caleb Joans and took a note for the same and reed 113-10-0 old Tenor 
prinsaple from Rob' Mathies and the intrest which was due on 450 £ for 
10 months a 2V pr £ which was 37-10-0 O : T : 

21"' Archibald MacColom finished makeing shoes at our house and I pd 
him his charge being 20 £ and while he was here I got a side of sole 
Leather from my brother of Richard Ayers leather the weight was 14 £ 
and I set out for Boston and got the bridle from Capt Moor which I boiight 
along witli the horse from Widow Russell 

26"^ Retiu-ned home again 

27"^ was a tryal between Henry Barton and Josiah French both of Hol- 
ies 

30"' had James Kennedys horse and plough plowing among my corn and 
Naf'i Paterson helped me all day and Rob' Badger and George Cowan 
helped me in the afternoon 

JULY FIRST 

Rob' Badger helped me all Day and I had John Maclaughlius mare to 
plow about an acre 

2^" Mr Houston Lectured in his ordinary place of Lecturing and preached 
in the afternoon on the 5 (3 & 7 verses of the 1 Chapter of the 2d of Saint 
Peter 

3'^ had Natli" Paterson help me all day and James Moor and John Gil- 
moor made a days work for James and Daniel Moor howed one row more 
than James and I had my brothers mare to plow about an acre 

4"' pd my br his part of the money that Rob' Mathies pd me for Land 
being the one third and borrowed a Crown peice in Silver and set out to go 
to Chelmsford for Corn and got 2 bushel of Indian and 2 of Rie from 
Lieut Beuj" Parker a 20V for Indian and 30V W bushel for Rie and got 4 
bushel of Indian from Josiah Fletcher a ig a Dollar pr bushel and got 2 of 
Indian and 2 of Rie Ground at Capt Chamberlins mill and had the Toll 
and came home in the evening and left the other 4 bushel of Indian at 
Parkers** in Chelmsford and pd 8 £ to William Eayi's pr order of John Cald- 
well 

10th "VVilliam Howard brot the 4 bushels of corn to Mrs Underwoods that 
I left at Parkers'* on the 5"' instant 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 53 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JULY 10"^ 1758 

12th Went to Joseph Fletcliers aud got 5 bushel of Indian Corn and 3 of 
Rie being what I bot of him and had Rob' Murdochs horse and drawed it 
up to Mrs Underwoods and brought a bushel of Indian Corn hisme 

13"^ pd John Bell the bushel of Corn which I brot home the Day before 

16"^ went to New Boston a with a Web to Jolm MacAUester and had 
Hugh Ridels mare for my ■\vif e to Ride on 

16"» Bot Timber of Andrew Walker of White pine to make 8 M of 
Boards at 30V per M came to 12 £ aud pd him the money aud bot a thou- 
sand of boards from John Blair and another from Tho^ Willson for 10 £ pr 
M & pd John Blair 10-10-0 aud paid Tho^ Willson 7 £ aud Retui-ued home 
again 

17"^ I mowed for my Br Sani'i from about 9 a Clock till night and writ 
a Deed from James Mathies Jun'^ to John Wallace and Mathies gave me 
1-10-0 old Tenor and tlie acknowledgment Wallace did not pay 

18"' helped my Bror Sam'^ to mow in the forenoon and went in the after- 
noon to Mr. Lunds in Merrymac to know what to do Concerning his 
writings and borrowed a bag from Robt Mordoch and brot 4 bushel of 
Indian corn from Capt Cumiugs which James Underwood bot for me 

19t'i Rob' Badger plowed for me in the forenoon with my Br mare to 
about 9 or 10 a Clock and and 

20"' Robt Badger helped me to Plough with my Br Mare in the forenoon 
aud I and Jonas helped him in the afternoon to rake hay 

21*^' I and Jonas helped helped my Bror in the afternoon to Rake hay 

22^' I went to Mr Lunds to know what to do with his ^vl•itings and got 
Mr Tho^ Parker aud D" Barnes to go as Evidences and he ordered me to 
Distroy them and said his estate should Defend me in it and brought home 
8 bushel of Grain (^'iz) 6 of Indian and 2 of Rie from Mrs Murdoch and 
had Tho^ Maclaughlins horse 

23*^ Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon in the 7tli Chapter of Johns 
Gospel from the 24th verse aud Downward and Preached in ye afternoon 
from the 7th Chapter of the Acts and the latter end of the 18th verse 

24'^' Destroyed Mr Lunds Deed according to his Desire Before my Br 
and James Underwood and Rob' Badger ploughed for me mth my Br 
mare from about 9 or ten a Clock till toward night and I made up the bill 
of Coasts for John Taggarts pounding a Colt ou the 17tli of Jiine and Took 
the note for the money in my name from Benj" Swallow of Pepperell be- 
ing 10-1-9 N : T : on demand and sold John Taggart a pair of shoes that 
was made to little for me and am to have y'' market price for them aud to 
be paid out of said Swallows note. 

28"^ Will™ Eayers Jun'' wife Departed this life in a fitt and lie sent over 
a boy to bring us word 

29"' my wife and I v/ent over to the fuueral which was appointed at one 
of the Clock and I got 2 gallons of Molasses lacking one half a pint from 
Jas Ramsey which came to £ 5-10-0 O : T : and pd him the money and 
came home but my wife and child Tarryed 

30"' Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon on the Latter End of the 7tli 



54 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Chapter of Johns Gospel aucl Pi-eached in the afternoon from the latter 
part of the 18 verse of the 11th Chap* of the Acts 

AUGUST 

2'! went and with William Boies and two of the Selectmen viz James Little 
and Robert Gilmor and Settled with Mr Houston for what time he preached 
mth us before his Ordination from the Uth of April 1757 to the 28th of 
Sepf following and the selectmen from that time to the 25th of March 
1758 

5'h went to Londonderry for my wife and went to Alex"^ Walkers and 
pd for some silk I got May before last and came to Lieut Wiears and pd 
him 22 £ old Tenor for his Mother for Intrest of a sum I owe her and I 
left 2 letters at Rankins to be conveyd to Daniel Peirce and Tho^ Wal- 
lingford Esq'^ by the Post and left orders for him to bring an answer and 
my -svife and I Came to Robert Macclures and Tarried all night and Came 
home on the 6th in the morning 

7"^ pd John Bell all the corn I owed him of what I borrowed of him last 
^^'inter and pd James Walker % a bushell of salt I borrowed of him last 
Fish Time I think it was in the beginning of June last and Reed a War- 
rant of Aprizement by Sam'^ Starke for to apprize the estate of Archibald 
Starke deed along with Tho'^ Hall 

S'** Lent Mr John Houston Two Dollars of Mr Ebenezer Hacketts money 
which is in my hands 

Q*!* had John Bells horse and went to Merrymac and brot away 2 bush- 
els of Indian and 1 of Rie which I had at Mrs Murdochs and 5 and better 
of Indian I had at Capt Cumings and got 32 £ from Mrs Cumings on acct 
of Benj" Swallows coast for J(ihn Taggart pounding his Colt 

10''' pd Sam'i Patten his Charge for priseing and pounding and keeping 
Swallows colt being 3-8-0 Old Tenor and keept Bells horse the night be- 
fore and went to Capt Chamberlins and brot home the 7 bushel of Indian 
and one of Rie I brot there yesterday and Reckoned with him for what he 
had Ground for me this year that I had the toal being 24 bushel and I gave 
him 4 £ and he gave me 34**/ in Change on account of my doing for him 
Concerning a Deed from her that was Widow Chandler and paid Mary 
Orr 54**/ Old Tenor for what she helped us to spinn and there was 21*/ 
more Due to her on the same Acct 

11"' I withTho** Hall apprised Archibald Starkes estate and got \^% £of 
beaf a 4V from John Starke and pd him and got a bushel of Salt from 
Daniel Macneal which Robt Macmurphy brot from Haverhill for me in 
June last which I bot of James Duncan last spring when I was at New- 
bury and Haverhill and did not bring it away 

12"^ pd my mother 4 Dollars which I borrowed from her on the 17th of 
last April and pd her a Pistereen which she sent by me to Buy her a 
Chamber Pott 

13"' went to Londonderry to Mr Macgregores meeting house and heard 
him Pi-each from the latter part of the 159 verse of the 119 Psalm and 
Reed an answer to my letter to Daniel Pence Esq'" by the post 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 65 

14"^ Archibald MacAllester helped me Reap my rie & Mr Harris came 
to work for me to make me jackoat and britches of Black Jermiii serge 

15"^ my br Sam" helped me to mow the meadow lot uo 74 in the fore- 
noon and it began to Rain before we had done and pd him 50V in Silver 
which I borrowed off him the 4tli of last July 

18"> I had James Smith helping me to Rake hay in the afternoon and 
we Raked all the lott no 74 and 3 cocks more being 24 in the whole and 
Harris left my house and went to Benj" Smiths 

19"^ I had Rob' Smith helping me better than }^ the day we put up a 
stack of 21 Cocks on the Lot no 74 

20*'^ About 8 of the Clock in the forenoon I had my horse Gored by a 
Cow in at the near Flank which proved his death the next day about ten 
of the Clock in the forenoon and I went to meeting and heard Mr Hous- 
ton preach in the afternoon from the 4 of the Colossians and 2 verse he 
Lectured in the forenoon in the 8th Chapter of Johns Gospel 

2lst my horse died as I sayd before about 10 a Clock and I strained my 
left foot and was in gi-eat pain with it that afternoon and night following 

22'! lay by by reason of my foot 

23'' ^vTit a letter to Col Goffe by Capt John Stark 

25^'' Had Jam** Smith helping me in the afternoon and about 2 hom-s in 
the forenoon 

26"^ had him helping me and William Barnet helped me to mow in the 
Little Meadow 

27th jyjp Houston Lectm'ed in his ordinary place (viz) in the 8th of Johns 
Gospel and preached in the afternoon from the 4th Chapter of the CoUo- 
sians and 2d verse 

30"' had James Smith helping and Daniel Quig in the afternoon to turn 
and Rake and Stack hay in the Little Meadow we Stacked 36 Cocks and 
Raked and Cocked 37 and Robt Mathies helped me to role up the Cocks 

31^' James Smith helped me and Daniel Quig in the afternoon and 
Benj" Smith about 2 or 3 hom-s of night and we raked and Cocked 46 
cocks and Cocked 44 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

finished naowing in the Little Meadow 

6"^ Sam" Paterson helped me mow in my meadow at home 

8*^ Rob' and James Smith helped me to finish stacking my hay in the 
little meadow I cut 153 Cocks this years in the that meadow viz in 4 Lotts 
sd boys Raked and Cocked 18 Cocks on the 7'*^ instant 

12"i Mr Houston Catechized at the meeting house & my family was 
i'lcluded and Mary came to Spinn at our house in the evening after 
Catechising 

14"^ Finished mowing this morning by the sun an hour and a half high 
and went to meet the corpses of Peter Cochrane from New Boston for 
Londonderry 

15"> went along with Lieut Mors and Jerh Allen to Goffes town and 
showed them no 7 in the 5th rang on the South side of Piscataquog and 
no 1 joyniiig on Whites farm a hundred a forty acre lot and reed a Dollar 
for my pains 



56 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

16*'^ atteudecl the funeral of Oapt Barroiis and got 2 £ of butter from 
John Bell agreed with him for a tub full the price is to be sixth pence less 
than it is in Boston at the time he gos to it 

17th -^j. Houston Lectured in the forenoon on the beginning of the 9th 
Chapter of Johns Gospel and preached in the afternoon from the last 
verse of the 50th Psalm 

18"* James Linn Butchered a heifer for me she had 398 £ of Beaf 48 of 
a hide and llfo tallow and I Carted in the last of my hay oixt of my 
meadow and took the acknowledgment of two Deeds one from Eleazer 
Wells to Orlando Colby pd and another from E Wells to Adam Dickey 
unpd 

3P' was appointed by our minister to Chose Elders I was not there but 
the choice di'opt 

24tii ]y[p Houston Lectiu-ed in the forenoon in the 9th Chapter of Johns 
Gospel and preached in the afternoon on the last verse of the oOtli Psalm 
and appointed those who were chosen as Elders to meet on Monday morn- 
ing to give in their Objections if they had any against serving and 
appointed to preach a Sermon on the next thursday to ordain them 

25*'* my bror & I not being notified by the minister we did not go 
whereon he sent us a letter by Daniel Qnig which we answered they were 
both as Crabid as a Crab tree 

27"* in the morning he sent us a second which was mild Requesting us 
to come and treat with him and give him our advice on some important 
affair either that night or the next morning which we did that afternoon 

28"* which had been appointed for ordination of the Elders was con- 
verted to an election of elders when I was chosen again to that office 

OCTOBER FIRST 

Mr Houston Lectured in his ordinary place and preached in the after- 
noon on the last verse of the 50th Psalm 

S^i was spent in the afternoon with the minister in Conferauce respect- 
ing my being Chosen as a Elder as also did the Others who were Chose 

4"* Brot home a tub of butter from John Bell the tub and butter exclu- 
sive of the lid weighed 88 £ 

8"* I made a Coffin for John Bell Junrs child which was born the day 
before and heard Mr Houston preach in the afternoon on the last verse of 
the 50th Psalm 

10"* was appointed for those who were chosen for elders to be keept as a 
Fast but my br and I did not go 

11"* Spent the afternoon and evening along ^vith Mr Houston 

12"* was appointed for ordination of tlie Elders but such Deficualtys 
appeared that it was deffered and Mr Houston preached the sermon from 
Jeremiah Chapter and verse 

14"* got a heifer from James Mathies for 50 £ old Tenor and bi'ot her 
home 

15"* was Mr Macgregores sacrement and Mr Houston assisted him 

19"* was appointed for those chosen elders to give their answer mine 
was in the positive and had Benj'* Smiths mare to William Duncans and 



MA-TTHEW patten's DIARY. 57 

got 4£ of shiigar and settled with him and pd him 8£ and owed him 
£0-14-0 Old Tenor yet and pd Faset 28V 3'i Silver money an apuss (?) 
Beaver sldn which I had from him last fish time 

20"^ my wife had my bros mare went to oui- uncle Maccm^-dys and came 
home again the 21'*' 

22*1 Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon in the 11th of Johns Gospel 
and preached in the afternoon from the last verse of the 50th Psalm 

28"^ Carted 830 Clapboards to the Meeting house and got 5 bushel of 
Turnips from John Bell for pay and he gave me an % bushel 

29"' Mr Houston Lectured in the forenoon in ye 11th chapter of Johns 
Gospel and preached in the afternoon from the 28th verse of the 11th 
Chapter of 1 Corinthians 

30"' spent the most part of the day with Mr Houston on a debate 
between William Holms and Jam^ Little 

31^' James Linn Butchered a Cow for me which weighed 300 of beaf 
and 53 of a hide and 16 of Talow and we Butchered a cow for my br Sam" 
and he was from home at Monson on a jury 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

I Thrashed 30 Sheaves of Rie which produced 2 bushel and 12 Quarts 
and got it ground in meal and borrowed a bushel of Indian corn from my 
Bro'^ and got it made in meal 

2^^ was apix)inted a Day of Fasting as preparatory for the sacrement 

3d & Fourth Carted home the hay which grew on the Lot no 74 in the 
Little Meadow and Mr Macgi-egore on the 4th preached from these words 
the whole has no need of physician but the sick 

5*^ was the first sacrement in Bedford Mr Houston preached the action 
sermon from the first of Johns Gospel and 29th verse and Mr Macgregore 
preached in the evening from the 73d Psalm and last verse 

6''^ he preached on the last mentioned text and George Addison pd me 
200 £ mth its Intrest for Ebenz' Hackett the Intrest was 8-6-8 5-2-0 of 
which he pd by geting his Deed put on Reed and time spent about it and 
the rest in money being 3-4-8 old Tenor 

9"' I Carted 2 M of Shingles to the River for John Wallace of L : Derry 
which his team Carryed Directly away and I took the sashes of 22 win- 
dows for the meeting house from his team there and Carried them to 
John Wallaces in Bedford 

\Z^^ Divided the Lotts no 113 between William Moor and Rob' Gilmore 
of Merrymac and ^VTit the Quit Claim and spent a Considerable time the 
next day on it and Charged them 6 £ old Tenor and Gilmoor pd me the 
% of it and James Mathies thrashed 2 stocks of Rie for me 

14"' I Borrowed a bushel of Indian Corn from my Bro Sam'' and Got it 
Ground and 2 bushel of Rie and I had his Mare to mill and Will'" Moore 
brought my heifer home from Deacon Williames place and took away his 
Calves and Tailor Harris son took away the Calf I sold him on or about 
the 19th or 20th of August haveing keept it three months 

On Friday the 10th instant there fell a snow about 2 inches Deep and 
spent the most of the Day in planing and Casting Deacon Andrew Coch- 
ranes home place 



58 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

This snow was followed by an exceeding cold turn of weather it froze 
up the River in a great many places said to be the Coldest turn for the 
time of the year Known in Remembrance 

15^^ the extreamity of the Weather abated 

19"^ Mr Houston Lectured in the last of the 11th Chapter of Johns Gos- 
pel and preached in the afternoon from the 50 Psalm and last verse 

21^t I borrowed 2 bushell of Indian Corn from Benj" Smith and he sent 
his son John to mill with it and got it ground and I preambulated the line 
of the meadow lot no 61 for him and I began to draw stuff to make a 
bridge over the brook in my Little Meadow and they gave me a bushel of 
Potatoes 

22<i went to Deacon Cochranes and got some things which Samuel 
Cochrane brot from Boston for me the week before 4 £ wool 6 Do Spanish 
white 2 Do White Lead 1 Do Tea 2 Do Yelow Ockar 2 Do Snuff 

23'^ was the General Thankesgiving & Mr Houston preached from the 
verse of y*^ 97 Psalm 

24"^ I went -v^-ith my oxen and Caft and Gauin Ridel with his oxen and 
Cart up to Robt Morrils place and we brot away 850 unshaved Clapboards 
and 125 shaved the unshaved we carried to John Bell Jun' and the shaved 
I carried to the meeting house which %Aath what I took there before made 
955 and attended a town meeting and was chose one of a comitee to 
treat with Thos Hall Concerning Charges Respecting the Road over 
Piscataquog 

26*'> Mr Houston Lectured on part of the Chapter of Johns Gospel and 
preached in the afternoon of the last verse of the 50th Psalm 

27 Was a violent wind & paid Sam" Cochrane for the articles he brot 
me from Boston being 8-8-9 in Silver 

28"^ went to Litchfield and got the Pi'omis of 20 bushel of Corn from Tlio« 
Murdoch and reed a Dollar from Henry Barton of HoUis on acct of a note 
of 6 £ I had of him and I brot away 4 sheep I had bought of Will™ Pater- 
son of Litchfield and pd his mfe the money for them being 86 £ old Tenor 
and they gave Susanna a Cosset lamb 

DECEMBER FIFTH 

Drawed a Complaint and warrant for Tho" Murdough against Simeon 
and Joseph Cumings 

7"^ went to Tho" Murdoughs and thrashed 4 bushel of Indian Corn and 
had Patersous horse and got 2 of it ground into meal at Chamberlains and 
had the toal 

10"i heard Mr Macgregore preach from the 3d of the Romans and 28th 
verse 

11^'^ spent the day in trying to accommodate the Trespass on the Russ 
farm with James MacGregore but could not accommodate and came home 
in the Evening and had Robert Macmui'phys mare 

12^'^ went to Tho'* Murdoughs and got 4 bushel of Indian corn and got 2 
bushel of it gTOund at Gapt Chamberlins and had the toal 

13"^ set out for Portsmouth and had Rob' Macmurphys mare and went 
as far as Exeter 

16*'^ Returned to Londonderry 



MATTHE\Y PATTEN'S DIAHY. 59 

17"^ heard Mr Macgregore preach from the 3d of the Romans and 28th 
verse and I came home in the evening and had Robt Macm\u-phys mare 

igth -vvreut to Tho** Mmxlonghs and got 4 bushel of Indian Corn and got 2 
bnshel of it ground at Capt Chamberlins and had the toal 

20"» assisted the selectmen in makeing the ministers rates and pd John 
Macalester of new boston 35 £' old Tenor for his weaving a web 

21^' I made the town and province Rates and Drawed both warrants and 
recorded them and warrant 

22<i went to goffes mill and got 2 bushel of Rie ground into meal and 
Reed £ 15-10-0 from John Wallace for two thousand of shingles he had from 
me 

23*1 had my bros mare and went to Tho'* Murdoughs and brot away 8 
bushels of Indian Corn which makes up 20 bushel I have had from him 
and I gave him 2 Dollars toward it 

26th p(j Moses Wells 44V for weaveing 10 yards of striped Cloath 

29'!^ went to Cap* Cumings and got 5 Quarts and 3 jills of molasses a 24V 
pr gallon in Silver and pd the money 

31^' heard INIr Houston preach from the Last verse of the 50 Pslam 

1759 January First was at James Greggs vendue 

3<i went to Merrymac to Cap' Cumings and Lodged there that night 

4tfi got 4>^ bushel of Rie from Timothy and pd him 18 £ old Tenor for 
it and John Little on the 3d finished shoeing and makeing new Slates for 
my Slede 

5"* finished peiceing John Littles Gun stock 

7'^ Mr Houston gave one exercise being a Lecture on the 12th Chapter 
of Johns Gospel 

8"^ James Linn helped me Kill my hogs which weighed 471 £ and I pd 
John Davis 6 £ old Tenor towards his Clearing 

11^'^ James Kennedy Shood my oxen and Robt Macmurphys mare and 
^vrit a Deed from Andrew Walker to Hugh Greg and I bot 10 Dollars from 
Andrew Walker 

13"^ went to Timothy Taylors and got il^ bushel of Rie and pd him 
18 £ for it and Borrowed 4 bushel of Indian corn from Tho» Murdough 
and got it Ground at Capt Chamberlins and had the Toal 

14''! heard Mr Houston Lecture on part of the 12th Chapter of Johns 
Gospel and preach in the afternoon from the last verse of the 50th Psalm 

15*'' writ a note from Patrick Taggart to James Mathies and I settled 
with Ebenez'' Hackett and Cleared him off what I had Reed from George 
Addison 

17th ^y^i^ j^ Deed from Samson More to James Aiken of No 9 and 15 in. 
the 7tli Rang and went to Timothy Taylors and paid him 3 Dollars for 4)2 
bushel of Rie and Lodged at Robert Murdoughs the night following 

18*'' got 4 bushel of Indian Corn from Will'" Paterson and Left a Johanna 
with his wife and had it ground at Capt Chaniberliu and I had the Toal 
and I got 5 £ of sliugar at Thos Parkers and I pd 3 £ for it 

20"' I went to Litchfield and got 4 bushel of Indian Corn from Will'" 
Paterson and had it ground at Capt Chamberlins mill and had the toal 

23'i James Kennedy mended my Clevis and shut a Ring which I tiad 



60 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

from Deacou James Moor and I went to Deacon Andrew Cochranes to run 
lines and pd Ensig" John Moor 3 £ old tenor which I owed him on acct 
of a ti'ap chain 

26"* "svas a tedious storm of snow and I got 4io bushel of rie from Timo- 
thy Taylor and got it Ground at Capt Chamberlins mill and I had the toal 

28''' heard INIr Houston Lecture on the Latter part of the 12th Chapter 
of Johns GosjDel 

29"' I went to Col Goffes and new Drafted the Inventory of Archibald 
Starkes Estate and attest to the apprizement of the same and went to Dea- 
con Andrew Cochranes and got 5 bushel of oats and Archibald MaccoUum 
and James Macmurphy came to make shoes at my house 

30th The shoemakers went away and what they did now and as Jams 
Macmurphy did as he went to new Boston came to 6 £ old Tenor and in 
the Evening I assisted Rob* Gillmor and WUl'" Moore in settling their 
affair Concerning the Lott no 113 

31*' ^vTit a Deed from Robt Gillmor to Will'" Moor and was yet Due to 
me from Moor on sd acct was 4-8-0 and from sd Gihnoor was 40V and 8/ 
more for -writing a Quit Claim from Hugh Ridels wife 

FEBRUARY SECOXD 

I went to new Boston for Jeans Macmm*phy 

3'' Retiirned home again and Jean macmurphy with me 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 3D 1759 

4"* IVIr Houston preached at John Burns from the 119 Psalm and 165"' 
verses 

5"' had my Brs oxen and went and brot home a Load of hay from the 
Little Meadow 

6"' I went to Merrymac to hear the Case between Tho* Murdough and 
Sim" and Jos Cumings 

T*** spent it on the same afair and ended at midnight or thereabouts 

gth I got 4}4 bushel of Indian Corn at William Patersons and got it 
Ground at Cap' Chamberlins mill and I had the Toal 

11"^ Mr Houston preached in the afternoon from the 119 Psahn and the 
165 verse 

13"' went to Col Goffes and swore 4 bills on Margaret Holms and I bor- 
rowed 8-12-0 from my br and pd it to James Little being the whole of 
what I owed him for Butter 

14"' I borrowed a Glass Bottle full of Linseed Oyl from our Commitee 

15"' Got 2 Quarts of Rimi from Tho^ Maclaughhn on Credit and I made 
a window frame for jNIr Houston and set the Glass 

16"' went to Deacon Andre^ Cochranes to Run lines and plans but did 
not Run any and went and got 4 bushel of Oats from Samuel Gibson and 
Rob' Gilmoor pd me 40V of what he owed me and there Remains 8V due 
to me 

17"' spent the day in planing the 800 acres Col Blanchard sold to Sam^* 
Cochrane with the Divisions said Cochrane made in the same and sent the 
plan to Lieut Duncans by IVIr Houston for Sam" Cochrane pr Agreement 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 61 

21st \)i-Q^, home the Last of my Large stack of hay from the Little Meadow 
and Avi'it a Deed from Will™ Moor to George Cunningham and Charged 
24V for which George is to cut wood for me and got 3 bushel of Potattoes 
from Will'" Moor and I let him have 20 shads out of the barrel 

On the 20th I got }4 ~' of tea and a paper of ink powder and 3 £ of 
white Lead instead of 4 £ of Spanish white which from Fergais Kennedy 
which he brot from Boston for me the week before 

22'^ heard Mr Barrett preach at Col Goffes from these words in the 3d 
of Johns Gospel y*= must be born again 

23'^ Mr Houston got 24 squars of sashes and 2 Window frams and I put 
them up for him and I charged him 14-8-0 old Tenor and he pd me 2 Dol- 
lars which he borrowed of me last summer 

24"i went to Litchfield and got 8 £ of shugar and 2 Qiiarts and pint and 
a half and a little more of Molasses from Tho^ Parker on Credit and brot 
away 41.2 bushel of rie that I had at The'* Murdoughs which I bought of 
Timothy Taylor on the 13th of last January and had it gxound at Cap' 
Chamberlins mill and I had the Toal 

25"* heard Mr Houston preach from the 119 Psalm and the 165 verse 

26*'* had George Cunningham Cutting Wood for me and had my Br 
mare and went to Litchfield and got 9 bushel of Indian Corn from William 
Paterson and sent a sash of 6 squars by Alexander Maccolum to James 
Coclirane of new Boston 

27"' I had my Brs Mare to Litchfield and I got 41^ bushels of Corn from 
William Paterson and ■i'^o bushel of rie from James Underwood 1 bushel 
of it he gave me and the Rest I owe him for 

28"' brot home a load of hay from the Little meadow and Archibald 
Macalester took away a load of y« stack I sold him in sd meadow 

MARCH FIRST 

brot a load of hay from the Little Meadow and went to Tho" Halls to the 
muster of Capt John Starks men 

2'' brot the last of my hay from the little meadow 

3'' I drawed a Coppy of Murdoughs and Cumings Case for him 

4"' Mr Houston preached from the 50th Psalm and last verse and finished 
from that text 

5th ■v^rpj^ 3 Letters for the armey on for John Caldwell one for Rob' Nor- 
ris and one for John Tolf ord and James Maccurdy 

7"* I got 2 Quarts of Riim from Tho'* Maclaiighlin on Credit and got 6 
Quarts of Cyder from Br 

lO'h Carried home Jean Macmurphy to new Boston who had been here 5 
weeks and and pd Tho"* Murdough 41 £ old Tenor 

11"' Mr Houston preached at John Burnss from the HI Psalm and lOth 
Verse 

12"' got a barrel Cyder from James Little on Credit 

13"* went to Lo : Derry and Settled with the Commissioners for Recive- 
ing the Claims on Abraham Macneals estate and settled a note of 44-13-0 
of Tho" Smyths of New Boston and when what was Duo on Book was Dis- 
counted there Remained to sd Smith 40-9-0 



62 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

15"^ fell a pine that Gauiu Riddel gave nie 

16"^ I helped my bro iu the forenoon and John Mcalester helped me in 
the afternoon and John Bell and my bro Drawed in the tree I had of 
Ganiu which mad 3 16 feet loggs and Reed 18 £ old Tenor from Archibald 
Macalester for Rob' Morial Land tax 

18''! Mr Houston preached from the ftrst 30 verses of the 61 Chapter of 
Isiah 

19"^ I fell a white oak on the north side of Gauin Riddels field 

20"^ had John MacAlester to help me saw the tree twice thow and had 
Gauin Riddels oxen helping to hauU the 3 cutts to the mill and in evening 
I married Moses Canard and Agnes McClintock both of Derryfield and 
Jenney Cleary came from Lo : Derry to us 

21"' went to new Boston and Lodged at John Smiths and in my way I 
got 4 bushel of Potatoes from Sam^' Cochrane 

22^1 Came home again after veiwing John Carsons settlement for James 
Caldwell 

23'' Writ a Certificate for sd Caldwell on the same 

25"^ Mr Houston preached at John Burnses on the 61st Chapter of Isiah 
and the first 3 verses 

26"' I spent this day and the 24th in Getting maple sapp and on the 24th 
I sent Jonas to Deacon Will'" Moors and 3 bushels of Potatoes 

27"' I had my Bros oxen and Gauin Riddels and I hauled to Macalesters 
mill 4 cutts of slit work stuff and 2 white pine logs and Richard and 
Archibald Macalester helped me 

28"' was our annual meeting and was chose town Clerk and first select- 
man and surveyor of timber 

29"' I went and Run Roimd the Lott no 19 in the 11th Rang for Tho^ 
Maclaughlin and Run the South side of William Barnetts Lot in the 10th 
Rang and got a Quart of Rum from John Bell 

30"' John Bell and I cut two Chestnut trees in partnership 

31'*' John Bell helped me with his oxen and I had my Bros and Gauin 
Riddels and Richard Macalesters oxen helping lue to draw Loggs about % 
of the day & got 2 to the mill 

APRIL FIRST 
Mr Houston preached from the 61 Chapter of Isiah and the first 3 verses 
2'' had William Barnet and his oxen helping me and Mr Houston and 

John Bells and Gauin Riddels oxen I had William Macalester helping me 

draw Loggs we Drawed 3 and I Reed 130 £ old Tenor from Mr Houston on 

Rob' Mathies acct 
4"' I got 2 Quarts of Rum from John Bell Jun'^ on Credit 
5"' went and Layed off 2 acres for Fergus Kennedy out of the Lott no 5 

in the 8th Rang and Ran Round the Lot no 17 in the 7tli Rang & Charged 

him 3-4-0 and he pd me three pounds and 4V I owed him made the 

money 

7"' Brot home almost a barrel of Maple Juce pd Eben"^ Stevens 30V for 

his guarding Tristam Barnet 
8"' Mr Houston preached at the meeting house from the 61 Chapter 

of Isiah and the first 3 verses 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 63 

9"! I iiewDrawed my Certificate to James Caldwell for my Vei wing John 
Carson settlement at new Boston and he gave me 3-8-0 Mass money 

10"> John Macdugal came to our house to mend shoes and % soled one 
pair of shoes and a pair of Boots and heeled taped one pair for my wife 

11"^ was a Pi-ovincial Fast and Mr Houston preached from the 3d & 4th 
verses of the 20"^ Chapter of 2d Chronicals and I Reed from Robt Mathies 
19 Dollars on acct of his note 

12"' set out for Boston 

16"' returned home again 

17"' I Qualified two of Merrymacs selectmen their town clerk and one 
syrveyor of highways and Qualified for Bedford two selectmen and 4 sur- 
veyors of highway and Qualified to soldiers that enlisted for Bedford with 
John Moor 

18"' sold William Gray of new Boston six squars of sashes unpd prom- 
ised to pay in money and had a Cow Calved 

19"' Got the cow and Calf liome it was a Bull calf 

20"' When I awaked it was snowing fast and Continued snowing till 
about the middle of the day and I took Jennet Wallaces Examination of 
her being with Child to William Thornton which she swore on him and 
Discounted 30V with her father for my service 

2i6t -vvent and Discovered the affiars of him and went to Litchfield and 
got the 20 £ of shugar and 7 Quarts of molasses from Tho'* Parker and pd 
his wife 25 £ old Tenor my bro Sam^^ got 5 £ of the shugar and 2 Quarts 
of the molasses I reed from him £ 6-5-0 old Tenor and what he had come 
to 4-10-0 old Tenor and got 3 14 bushel of Rie from Capt Chamberlin 

22'^ Mr Houston Preached from the 61 Chapter of Isiah and the first 3 
verses 
* 23<i was our annual March meeting by adjournment 

24th J -yyag ^vith Mr Houston and Gauin Riddel to masure off some land 
the were Changeing and sent 4-7-6 old Tenor to Sarah Linkfield I owed 
her 4-4-0 

25"' I had 2 Quarts of Rum from John Bell Jun' 

26"' I moved 125 apple trees from Clogstone^ which I bought from Mrs 
Bradford 

27"' I reed for Madame Blan chard from James Riddell £ 195-12-0 old 
Tenor and took a note for 44-8-0 more for a Deed of Land in Derryfield 

28*^ Let Andrew Walker of New Boston have 12 Squars of sashes and 
glass and all fitted and charged him 18V per square amounting to 10-16-0 
old Tenor and am to take it out in sawing of boards 

29"' heard Mr Houston preach at the meeting house from the 61 of 
Isiah and the first 3 verses 

30"' Gave Thomas Wallace a Warrant against William Thornton on 
acct of his Daughter Jannet and Gave Doc"^ Thornton a Coppy of her Exam 
and had my Mathies heifer Calved 

MAY FIRST 

I vendued for the Collector several peices of land for the tax in Bedford 
and I bot 2 peices viz of John Tuckermans a £ 3 per acre and Jon" Hills 



04 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

laud at o3V per acre all old Tenor and I pd 31-5-0 O : T : aud went to 
Francis Barnets hoiise Raising 

2'^ I finished sowing my rie 

3'i I got 1^ bnshel of Oats from my bros Sam" and ploughed them in 
and got 20 Quarts of peas from him aud plowed in one land of them 

4"^ finished plowing in my peas aud took a Recog^' of William Thornton 
on acct of Wallaces Case and Writ a Will and a Power of Attorney for 
Rob* Walker of Lo : Derry for which I charged him 47/ 27 of Avhich he pd 
me last year and the Remainder he pd me down 

5"^ the above Walker swore a 4 £ bill on Tho^ Cochrane of New Boston 
which bill Gauin Riddel Swore on Walker and I Recog^ Jennet Wallace 
to prosecute Will'" Thornton at the June session 

7"' was our annual March meeting adjournment and got 2 quarts and 
}4 a pint of Rum from John Bell Jun' 

8'^ let Tho'' Wallace have a Coppy of his daughters Jennets case aud 
Thornton charged him 2 £ 

9*^ sowed Cabaige seed 

10*'^ went to Tho'* Mordoughs and got 14 bushel of seed corn and got a 
gallon of molasses from Cap* Cumings and pd 1-4-0 in Silver for it and 
Tarryied all night at Mordoughs 

11"^ came home again 

12"^ let John Bell Jun'' have 7 fulls of our Quart pot of the seed Corn 

1 had from Tho'* Mordough on the 10th instant 

15'^^ I had 2 Quarts of Rum from John Bell Jun"' and I pd James Camp- 
bell Jun'^ 20V I owed him on Moly Mccalley acct aud 20V I owed his bror 
Robt Campbell for a paper of pins my wife had from him 

16'^^ I Divided a peice of meadow for John Barnet Jun'' in the Great 
Meadow above Capt Perhani and I Charged him a Dollar 

17tii X got John Bells oxen and Bated them till the afternoon and I got 

2 £ of Butter from old Mrs Bell and I gave Tho'* Vickery and James Gill- 
more a Warrant of apprisement for a mare they poiiuded on the 14th 
instant to Deacon James Moor and Tho"* Barns returnable the 21st instant 
and went to Tho^ Halls aud spent the night following all night in settleiug 
with sd Hall aud pd him 59 £ old Tenor of the bill of Coasts he got Taxed 
against the Selectmen of Bedford in December 1758 

18"^ went up to the falls aud got 7 shad 6 of em I catched and one 
Will'" Eliot gave my wife 

19"^ I plowed about a Quarter of an acre with John Bells Juu""* oxen 

20"^ I heard Mr Houston preached at the meeting house from the 61st of 
Isaiah and the first 3 verses 

21^' I swore the prisers of the mare which Tho^ Vickery aud James 
Gillmor pounded in Merrymac pound on the 14th instant and taxed the 
bill of Coasts to the 22d being 4-1-6 N : T : my part xinpd 

22'i I wTit a Deed from Will'" Gray to Moses Canard and acknowledged 
the same and gray pd it aud got 4£ of Butter from Mrs Bell aud I 
fiuTOwed my Laud for planting 

23<i began to Plant and had my Bros oxen to Cart Dung 

24"' in the night my wife had Travail Pains and I went and got Mrs 



MATTHEW patten's DIAliY'. 65 

Boies and a gallou of Rum from John Bell Juu' and got home at break 
of Day 

25"^ my wife was Easyer aud Mrs Boies Tarried & I had our black cow 
Calved iu the morning 

3G"^ iu the evening I went and got 5 Quarts of Rum from John Bell 
Jun'* wife aud got Francis Barnetts wife & got 3 £ of Butter from James 
Little 

27''^ about ^2 Way between Break of Day aud Sun Riseiug my ^\^.fe was 
Delivered of a Daughter 

28'!' went to Merrymac and got 5 Quarts of molasses from Capt Cumings 
and pd him 30V in Silver aud Tho" Maclaughlin gave me 3 shad aud 
Sam" McConaughy gave me 3 

30"* Settled with William Moore and he owes me 2 bushels of Potatoes 
and 1 bushel of Corn and sent Jonas Cutting to James Walkers and got 
5 Quarts of Rum lacking lig jiH on credit and got Clogstone to sheer my 
sheep 

JUNE FIRST 

I went to Namaskeag falls 

8"* I came home again and I got in all 660 shad 120 I sent to my mother 
in Law and 120 I sold 35 I gave John Quig I got 2 bushel of salt from 
Robt Macmurphy and 2 bushel from John Goffe and I got 2 Quarts of 
Rum from James Walker all which affairs happened between the first aud 
the 8 my whole expenses in the time was 7-5-0 which I pd all off 

gth I gQf 2 Quarts of Rum from James Walker aud I settled with Widow 
Hill and Concerning her Late Husbands land that I bot at Vendue for Tax 
aud I went to Tho^ Wallaces and acknowledged a Power of Attorney from 
Jennet to Lieut Wallace unjid 

XQtii Mr Houston preached from the 3d of the song and first Verse in 
Bedford meeting house 

11"* was a town meeting by adjournment & I was chose a Commitee 
man to build a bridge over Piscataquog river and to go to the General 
Court to try to have our laud taxed and Reed 5 £ old Tenor of Tax from 
William Tu-rell for Gideon Tirrell 

12"* Jas Linn Butchered a Calf for me aud I gave out a warrant of 
apprisement for a mare Colt that William Nutt pounded in Derryfield 
pound on the 8th instant and Jonas was taken with the measles 

J gth -^yrit 4 advertisements for the Colt above said 

16"' I swore the apprizers of the above Colt pounded by William Nutt 
and taxed the bill to this Day being 5-16-0 and Jonas got up yesterday 
afternoon out of the measles 

17"* Mr Houston preached from the 3(1 of the song and first Verse 

19"* I went to Namaskeg Falls and Tarried all night at Tho« Halls 

20"' I went up the Setting place and Catched 3 Shad and Came home 
about noon aud I swore Sam'^ Cochrane Concerning a Bill received from 
Robt White of New Boston and I fouud the East wall of my Cellar fell iu 
the Day before workt at mending it that afternoon and the 2 following 
Days 

5 



66 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

22'^ Lieut Moor came and gelderl a year old Boar and 4 pigs and 2 Calves 
for nie 

23'i I went to Capt Ohamberlins mill and carried 3 bushel of Indian corn 
with me and got 2 bags full of Rie and had the Toall and had Matth^' 
Littles Colt and Mrs Kennedys horse 

24th ]y[j. Houston preached from the 3d of the Revealations and 20th 
verse and he baptised our Child Elizabeth 

25"^ I Borrowed 111-19-0 old Tenor from John Mcdugal and gave a note 
for the same on Demand with Intrest till paid and went to Litchfield and 
pd it to "Widow Russell and 8-2-6 more and 20V I pd her by \STiting made 
in all 116-1-6 and there Remained due to her with the Intrest 14 £ old 
Tenor and I pd James Underwood 14 £ old Tenor for 3)^ bushel of Rie 

1 had from him the 27th of February last and I gave my bror Sam'^ 

2 Dollars and a third part with 29^/ 6*1 that James Duncan pd him toward 
6}/^ part of a Dollar I Reed from Rob' Mathies of his money and sent 54**/ 
in Silver with him to Boston 1 pair of Wool Cards X £ of Tea and some 
Ink 

27"^ Spent the day in Drawing warrants to the surveyors of Highway 
28*'' spent this day in makeing the town and Pro^ance Rates 
29th I ^yent and Divided the Lott no 19 in the 11th Rang between John 
Maclaughlin and his son Thomas 

30"i the night before was the greatest frost ever I knew this time of the 
year and I writ 2 Quit Claim between John Maclauglin and his son of the 
Lott I Divided between them the day before and took the acknowledge- 
ment of the same unpd 

JULY FIRST 

Mr Houston preached from the 3d of the Revealations and 20th verse 

2'i Mrs Mary Kennedy had 2 Piggs and Tho* Maclaughlin had 1 and 
James Paterson 1 and the selectmen Treated mth Mr Houston to see how 
many Sabath days he would have to himself which was Concluded he 
should have 15 Sabaths or more if he found an opportunity to Dispose 
of em 

3 & 4"i Cleared in my old Field by my bros 

7^^ Susanna James and Rob' was taken Down with the Measles and I 
had my bros oxen with my own and plowed in my old field 

9th I -workt at the Bridge over Piscataqiiog river 

10"^ I had Daniel Quig and his Fathers 4 oxen and William Thompson 
helping to Plow in my field by my brors 

11"^ I had my brors oxen and I plowed about 1^ the forenoon and I gave 
William Thornton Notification to Jennet Wallace for to come and have 
some affidavits taken at my brors the next Day alia Clock in the fore- 
noon and went in the afternoon to Lieut Halls to Examine the Claims to 
Archibald Starks Estate and attended that Business till in the evening 

12"^ I had Daniel Quig & his fathers 4 oxen and William Thompsons 
oxen helping me to Plow in my field by my brors and I Reed from James 
Mathies 80 £ old Tenor and 18)^ Dollars towards his note being 191 £ 
old Tenor in the whole 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 67 

13"^ I -was at the Dramug of Francis Barnets baru 

14th I ^yrit; a letter to John Quig to John Orr and 2 for my self 1 to Col 
Goffe and the other to Ja« Thomas and I pd my bro« Sam" 4 Dollars with 
what Jas Duncan pd him on acct being 1-9-6 Silver money and 6-6-0 I pd 
himself of like money when he went to Boston last on the 25th of last. 
June Compleated the 3d part of the money I owed him on acct of the 19 
Dollars I reed from Robt Mathies on the 11th of last April and 1-1-0 over 
Masstts money 

15"! was Sabbath day and I heard Mr Houston preach from the 3d of 
the Revelations and 20th Verse 

16''^ set out for Portsmouth and Evidence in Jenuey Wallaces & Thorn- 
tons Case and had James Lyons mare 

ISt'i I got a Deed from Col Walensford of his Right in Sowhegan East 
and I pd him 110-4-0 old Tenor being 100 £ towards the price of the Land 
and 10-4-0 for the last years Tax and gave him my note of hand for 275 £ 
to be paid iu a year and delivered it into the Reg^'* the same Day 
18"^ I Came home again 

20"^ took home James Lyons mare in the forenoon 

2pt I finished plowing my field by my brors and had his oxen helping 
me 

24«i I borrowed 11-6-6 from Tho^ Maclaughlins wife and I pd William 
Boies 12-19-0 old Tenor on acct of James Kennedy which Cleared off 
Kennedys place 

26«h I put a Rake handle into an old head for John Quig and my wife 
went to her Brors Alex' in a frett 

27"^ I finished makeing a wash tubb for ourselves and ^vrit a Deed and 
took the acknowledgment from Fergus Kennedy to his son Fergus Charged 
a Piestreen to be paid in Reaping and made a Rake for John Quig and 
Carried it to him in the Evening and Mended my own rakes 

28'*^ pd Tho-^ Maclaughliu one Dollar and ten shillings in paper money 
of what I borrowed from his wife on the 24th instant and I pd John Bells 
wife a Dollar for 9 pounds of Butter I had from her last May and I had 
one pr of oxen from John Quig and another from Will™ Thompson help- 
ing to plow in my field before my house and it Came on Rain in the after- 
noon so that we left off before night sometime 

30"! I swore Margaret Boies William Macallester Tho^ Boies and Fergus 
Kennedy Junr Concerning a peice of Gold Tho^ Boies answers for 3 oaths 
being 1-4-0 and Fergus Kennedy Junr for 1 all unpd and Charged old 
Fergus Kennedy 20^^ for the Coppy of the oaths unpd 

31«' I had one pair of John Quigs oxen and John Bells oxen helping me 
plow in the field before the house 

AUGUST FIRST 
I had my bror Sam" oxen with my own ploughing in the field above 
said 

31 I Lent Gauin Riddel % a bushel of Rie and let John Maclaughliu 
have a Rake 

4th I had John Quigs young oxen and John Bell Juu-^ helping me plow 
and I lent ^i a bushel of Rie to old Mrs Bell 



68 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

5"i I was not at meeting but Mr Houston preached in Bedford the 2 
foregoing Sabaths he was at Pelham 

Q^^ I had one pair of oxen from John Quig and another from John Bell 
Jun^ helping me to Plow in my field before my hoiise 

7'^ the night before I kept the oxen and Plowed one small Land of 13 
"Rods of Ground in the morning which finished the field before my house 
and I began to mow in the Lot no 74 in the Little Meadow it was extream 
hot Day 

8* I finished mowing in the Lott above said and Jonas got Tho"^ Mac- 
laughlins horse and Carried 2 bushel of Indian Corn and 2 of Rie to Gofi'es 
mill & could not Get it Ground 

9'^^ Jonas went to Alex' Macmurphys mill with the grain he carried to 
Goffes mill the day before and got it ground and had Tho^ Maclaiighlins 
Horse and I finished mowing all on the upper side of the fence in the Little 
Meadow and Raked 6 cocks and cocked it 

IQth Was a Cloudy Day so that I could not take the Hay up in the Little 
Meadow and I went in ye afternoon to Lieut Halls per James Mccallys 
Desire and when I Come there was nothing for me to do but to fill up a 
bond of Administration for him on Sam^^ Stinsons Estate and had our 
Black Cow take bull the night following by my brors bull 

11"' I Raked hay in the Little Meadow on the Lott no 74 and on William 
Campbells I had 18 Cocks on 74 and 4 on Campbells and writ a letter to 
Daniel Sigonne for the mowing of his meadow lott 

12"' Mr Houston preached from the 3d of the Revalatious and 20th verse 
in Bedford 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 12 1759 

13"' our Cherry cow took Bull and I lent James Paterson a biishel of 
Rie 

15 & 16"' I mowed and Raked Hay in my Little Meadow 

17 & 18"' I Reaped my Rie and had Tho« Wallaces son Will"' helping 
me we Reaped 17 stooks lacking 2 sheaves 

igth ]y[p Houston preached in Bedford from the 3d of the Revealations 
and 20th verse 

2P' Drawed a Complaint and Warrant for Capt Shephard against Ebenz' 
Hopkins and Charged £ 5 he pd me 3 £ 10^ 

23<^ Mrs Kennedy Reaped out the last of my Rie I had 22 stooks and 4 
sheaves this year 

24"' I Carted it in and my Flax and Barley and what hay Grew between 
and the meadow 

26*^ Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 3d of the Revealations 
and the 20th verse 

29"' John Macdugal came to my house to make a pair of shoes for Jonas 
and I finished mowing in the Little meadow 

30"' I finished Rakeing hay in the Little Meadow I had 12G cocks there 
this year and I had my brors mare and Jonas went to Ca.pt Chamberlins 
mill and Brot away the Remainder of the Rie that I bot off him last Win- 
ter 



MATTHEAV PATTEN's DIARY. 69 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

John Macchigal finished at my house for this time he made a pair foi* 
Jonas and heeled taped a pair for Jenny and I went to Fergus Kennedys & 
■s^Tit and acknowledged a Deed from him to his father and Run a peice of 
a line between William Kennedys place and Tho" Boies all unpd 

4th I mowed in my meadow being the first I cut in it 

5"^ I went to Litchfield & Merrymac Surveying roads &c for Messrs 
Gordon and Parker and reed a Dollar from Gordon and £ 6 from Parker 
and was to Perfect the Plans against the Sessions 

7'*^ I set my pidgeon net and Oatched 13 

8 Catched 37 

9*11 ]vir Hoiiston preached from the 3d Revealations and 20th verse 

10"i I set out for Portsmoiith as an evidence in Jenny Wallaces Case 
and had James Lyons mare and Tho^ Wallace sent me £ 6 old Tenor last 
Thursday to help bear my expences 

15*^1 returned home again 

16*^ was our Sacrament in Bedford and Mr Houston preached from the 
17th of John and 4th verse and Mr Macgregore preached in the afternoon 
from the 37th Psalm and verse 

17''' was a rainy Day and I did not go to meeting 

18'^ I began to shave clapboards at John Bells Jun^ and shaved 35 

19"i I shaved 32 more and reed a measuge that Capt Bushnell was dead 
Requesting the Selectmen to provide and burie him and attended the 
Funeral of Patrick Taggarts wife and then went and provided a shirt & 
Sheet and cap from Ma"' Goffe valowed at 3-16-0 old Tenor and went in the 
evening with the other selectmen and Capt Barron and my bror Sam'i and 
Examined his house and took an acct of the things we appointed the 
funeral to be the next day at 12 a Clock precisely and spoke to John Bell 
Jun^ to make the Coffin and got a Quart of Rum from James Walker for 
the watchers 

20*11 I attended to bury Capt Bushnell with the rest of the selectmen 
we got 5 Quarts of Rum more from James Walker and Vendued the Crop 
on Cap* Bushnells place to Capt Barron for £ 18 old Tenor to be paid in 1 
month and took an acct of what Cloaths he had at Col Goffes John Bell 
Jun' made the Coffin and we Got Board of Ebenez' Johnson and }4 a him- 
dred of nails of my bror Sanii^ 

21«* James Wallace and Will'" Wallace helped me to mow in my 
meadow 

23'i Mr Houston preached in Bedford from ye 3d of the Revelations and 
20th verse 

24*'i I Coppyd a bond for Joseph Farmer and swore him Concerning the 
same and Charged him 30V unpd and John Macdugal came in the morn- 
ing to make shoes at my house 

28"i Jenny went to New Boston to George Christies 

29"' I returned Tho^ Maclaughlin the Change of his money he sent with 
me to pay his excise and renew his license being 8-17-6 and 4-16-6 being 
■ the remainder of 1 1-6-6 which I borrowed off his wife the 24th of last 



70 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

July and he his to Lift my note of hand which I gave to Jo^ Thomas for 
his excise being 8-10-8 and I gave a vs^arrant of apprisement for a mare 
which James Walker which he pound on the 21st Instant and swore the 
prizers and ^vrot 3 advertisements and Charged 3 £ and Drawed an acct 
for Jennet Wallace against William Thornton and writ a letter on acct 
and Carted in the last of my hay at Home I had 69 cocks in my meadow 
this year 

30"' Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 3d of the Revelations 
and the 20tli verse 

OCTOBER FIRST 

being Monday I did no business silent half of the day or more with 
William Thornton only Carted home a load of wood 

2^ I took my Clavas to Benj" Smiths and spent the remainder of the 
Day with Deacon nioore Concerning our Difference in the Little meadow 

3*1 I carried my plough irons to James Houston to get them sharpened 
and got a burning iron mended and I shaved 33 clapboards at John Bells 
with what I had shaved before made a 100 

4"^ I spent at Drawing 3 of the string peices for Piscataquog bridge and 
reed from Tho^ Wallace 10 £ old Tenour being my j^art of the bill in his 
Daughter Jennets Case with Thornton and 4V over the Conip' he pd 
before 

7"^ was Sabath day Mr Houston was at Pelham and I reed an acct from 
Alex' Macmurphy of the Death of his oldest sou 

8"' I had James Patersons horse and my wife and I went to the funeral 
they buried in Lo : Derry at the old meeting house my wife tarried at her 
mothers and I came home I was to workt at the highway but the above 
occasion prevented me 

9*^^ I spent almost all the day on an ill natured ^\Tangle between Richard 
Macalester and Tho* Boies they broke of at last without Comeing to any 
agreement and I reed 2-8-0 from Fergus Kennedy Jun'' being in full of 
what he owed me 

10*'^ I got my plough irons mended and sharpened with James Houston 
and he Charged 40V old Tenor and I swore Capt Cumings James Walker 
and my bror Sam" to valow Tho^ Daws lands in Bedford and merryniac 
and went to Lieut John Halls to examin the Claims to Archibald Starks 
estate and I pd Hall }4 ^ mxig of todey which I had when I was there last 

11th I "v^rent to the Little meadow along with Tho^ Dawes heirs 

12ti> My bror in Law Alex' Macmurphy brot my \vife home in the 
evening 

13ti> I had my brors mare to mill with 2 bushels and 10 Quarts of Rie 

14* being Sabath day Mr Houston was at Pelham 

16* I thrashed 4 stocks & 3 sheaves of Rie and I sent to Lo : Derry by 
James Aiken for 3 £ of shugar 

17th J -\yas at the Drawing the timber for Piscataquog river bridge and 
James Aiken brot the 3 pounds of shugar from Lo : Derry I sent the 
money being 42V old Tenor 

18* I put my oxen and Calves into Deacon Williams place and got 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 71 

Deacou Smiths mare and sent Jonas to Alex'' Macmiu-phy for liis oxen 
and some Potatoes 

IQ"! I got % a bushell of Turnips from John Bell Jun"' and Jonas brot 
over Alex'' Macmnrphys oxen for me to put in my rie and about 3 bushel 
of Potatoes 

20"' I helped John Quig to set up the Raill fence across his Lott on the 
west side of the Highway 

21^' Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 3d of the Revelations 
and 20th verse and Lectured iu the forenoon from the beginning of the 
first Chapter of the Romans. 

22*' Daniel Quig helped me with his fathers young oxen to plow in Rie 
in my field by my brors being the first I sowed this Fall 

24th I -^j-Qt; iiome 8 boards from Ricliard Macalesters mill that was sawed 
for Table Leaves 

25"' I let William Holms have a table leaf 

26"' Nathaniel Paterson plowed for me with their oxen 

27"' I settled with James Mathies on his note and alowed 1-10-0 that 
I had reed of his on acct of his prizing the damage to John Taggart Done 
by a Colt in June 1758 and 20 £ pd me by a heifer October 14 1758 and 
there remained due to me 139-16-6 for which I took his note of hand on 
Demand with lutrest at 12-10-0 pr Cent till pd 

28"' Mr Houston preached in Merrymac at Samuell Caldwells from the 
18 of the Proverbs and 10 verse 

29"' I finished Sowing Rie in my old Feild by my brors I sowed 
5 bushels on it 

30'^ I Cut wood by James Linns and I bot 8 bushel of Potatoes from 
William Barnet for 25V pr bushel and Indented to pay Matthew Little 
for William Barnet on acct of the potatoes 7-10-0 and brot them home iu 
the evening and went afterward to James Walkers and spent the whole 
night with my bror in settling accts between Tho*^ Wallace and William 
Thornton and arbitrating between Deacon Carr and William Caldwell 

31st J gQ^ ^Q ■v^TQj.jj; iii ^iig afternoon from the above affair I Cutt wood 
and Jonas Carted 3 Load home 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

I had James Kennedys horse and niy wife and I went to David 
McClearys with a webb and I sent Jonas home with Alex'' Macmui-phys 
oxen 

4'^' I heard Mr Houston preach in Bedford from Revelations 3 & 20 

5th I -went at Tho^ Boies Desire to View the Road from his land and 
Richard Macalesters 

6"' I settled with John Macdugal for what shoes he made and mended 
for me since he first workt for me and it came to 9-10-0 and I pd him 
8 pound of it and I workt with my bror Sam^i a joynting and laying the 
floor in his Cydar press and I acknowledged the Deed from James Lyons 
to Cuningham and John Cromby Jun'' promised to pay for it and this day 
and the two following Days I joynted the floor of my brors Cydar and a 
makeing a trough for his pomis on one of these days I borrowed bushel of 
Corn froiu my bro Sam" ■ 



72 MATTHEW patten's DIAliY. 

9"^ Capt Blair sent me 2 baggs full of Potatoes and a horse to Carrie 
them home and I sent Jouas home agaiu with the horse 

10"' was a thauksgiveiiig in the Province on acct of the sm.-render of 
Qiiebeck to his Majestys arms 

Utii ]y[i. Houston preached in Lo : Derry for Mr MacGregore 

12"' I went to Work at the highway at Strawbury hill and James Person 
came and I went along mth him to Goffstown and we sent the hands 
a Quart of Rum and I bargained with Person that if he bot my land 
I was to pay it and if he did not buy the Laud he was to pay it 

13"' I had John Bells oxen and I brot home 460 clapboards and after- 
wards I brot home a load of wood and I brot home my oxen from Deacon 
Williams place 

14*^ James Linn helped me to Kill my oxen Biick weighed 458 £ of Beaf 
and 76 of a hide & 21 of Tallow and Bright Weighed 436 of Beaf and 67 
of hide and 19 of Tallow I sold 228 £ of beaf to James Houston and 119 £ 
to Robert Gillmor of Merrymac and reed a Dollar toward it and 1 1 1 £ to 
Martha Nimock all at 4V 6^ pr £ and I went to John Halls to examin the 
Claims to Archbald Starks estate and Tarried all night 

15"' I went to Alex'^ Macmurphys to the buiryiug of his youngest Child 
who was born the day before who Lived aboiit '2 ^-^ houi* after it vras 
born and came home again 

On the 14th I lent John Macdugal a side of sole Leather of lli^£ wt 
lying dry in the Chamber all summer 

17'^ I had my brors oxen and mare and brot home a load of wood and 
Jonas harrowed in Rie for him the rest of the day and Drawed a WTit and 
summons for Garret Rowan against Samuel Caldsvell unpaid 

18"' Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 3d Verse of the 13th 
Chapter of fii'st Corinthians 

20"' I Carried 103 Clapboards to the meeting house 

23'i I let John Bell Jun'^ have 310 clapboards and 200 before and I went 
to Thonis Murdoughs and got dj^ biishel of Indian Corn from him and had 
it ground at Capt Chamberlains and had the toall for pay 

25"' Mr Houston was in Peterborough 

26"' was a rainy day except a little in the morning which snowed 
I went to work at New boston road but the rest of the hands had left off 
as I got to them 

29"' I went and Laid out the road by Tho^ Parkers to the ferry in Litch- 
field and got 2 bushel of Corn and a bushel of Peas from Tho« Murdough 

30"' I -svrot a notification to Samuel Caldwell to Garret Rowan to hear 
some affida\'its taken the next day at John Bells and workt at y^ highway 

DECEMBER FIRST 

In the morning I wrote a notification for Garret Rowan to Samuel 
Caldwell to come to John Bells at 12 a Clock this day to here some affi- 
davits taken. I spent the day and evening and the affair was agreed and 



MATTHEW patten's DIATIY. 73 

I indented to keep a pair of oxen which had been in Debate between said 
partys for a mouth and was to be paid if they did not earn their keeping 

3'' I with the selectmen made the ministers Rates 

4"^ I took oif at Richard Macalesters mill which his son William sawed 
322 1^^ of white oak slit woi'k and brot home my slede from Ganin Riddels 
and a load of Wood 

5"^ I cutt and Hauled 2 Load of Wood 

7'^^ spent the day in settleing mth Gauin Riddle on his Constableship 
for the year and I reed 20V from fergus Kennedy and I pd Mrs Bell 13*/ 
1757 on acct of Mr Sulivau 

gth I ^vent to Tho** Mm-dough and got li.j bushel of Corn from him and 
Made a return to the selectmen of Litchfield of the Road I laid out pr 
order of Court 

gth jyjj. Houston preached in Bedford from the 13tli of Corins and 3d 
verse 

10"^ I was on the examination of the constables viz Deacon Walker 
Matth"' Little and William Moore and Deacon Walker on his first years 
treasurership and Mr Sulivan went away to John Littles 

ll'ii I spent along with John Caldwell at Tho^ Maclaughlins 

12"> I let John Caldwell have 3 Dollars and 2 pistereens 2 of which Dol- 
lars I borrowed from Tho^ Boies and spent this day at Goffes with Cald- 
well and Col Goffe came home and Jonas went to Tho^ murdough and got 
3>2 bushel of Corn and I got 1}4 ground at Capt Chamberlins 

IS*'^ I went to Jas Phersons in LondonDerry and bargained away the 
Lott no 6 in the 4th Rang on the south side of Piscataquog river to him 
for a pair of Oxen and 100£ in old Tenor and I tarried at vndow Mac- 
miirphys 

19"^ I came home and brot the oxen and Jonas came home from Tlio** 
Mm-doughs who went there the night before and brot 3 bushels of Indian 
corn and had l^a bushel ground at Chamberlins 

21'*' Jonas went to Tho'' Murdoughs and got 3 bushel of Indian Corn and 
left }4 ^t Capt Chamberlins 

23'! Mr Houston Lectured only in the 2d Chapter of the Romans 

2o"i I brot the fii-st load of hay from the Little Meadow 

26th I -went to Tho^ Murdoughs and I got 3 bushel of Corn and a bushel 
of barley from him and I got 2 bushel of it Ground at Capt Chamberlins 
and had the toal 

27"' Was general Thankesgiveing and I went to Tho* Halls and married 
John Martin and Mehetibel Corlis 

28*'' I returned home again in the evening 

29"^ Jonas went to Tho^ Murdoughs and I got 2 bushel of Corn and a 
bushel of Barly and I paid Lydia Murdough 3£ and was«to pay Jas Linn 
26V on his 4£ of it was on Tho" Murdoughs acct 

JANUARY FIRST 1760 

Lydia Murdough brot 1 bushel of Indian corn for me from her bror 
Thomas and I hot 27 pounds of biitter from her at }'2 a peistereen pr 
pound amounting to 6-1-6 Mass money old Tenor 



'''4 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

S^ I brot home the Last of my Hay from the Little Meadow and Jonas 
went to Thos Mnrdoughs and got 3 bushel of Indian Corn and he got 1)4 
bushel of it Ground at Capt Ohamberlius and the bushel he left there on 
Last Saterday 

8"! I borrowed 25 Johannas or 45£ Sterling from Capt John Stark and 
gave him my note for 45£ Sterling to be paid in a year with Interest at 6 
pr Cent 

9"> I sent Thomas Mur dough 2 johannas by Jonas and he got 3 bushell 
of Corn from him & got l>o' bushell of it Ground at Capt Chamberlins 
and had the Toall 

11 & 12*^ I Drawed 2 white pine loggs to Macalesters mill 

13"' Mr Houston preached in Litchfield 

16"' Jonas went to Tho'* Murdoughs and got 3 bushels of Corn and got 
1>2 Ground at Capt Chamberlins 

17*^ John Macdugal soled my shoes with his Leather and Thread and I 
had James Lyons mare and I went to LondonDerry and Lodged at my 
mother in Laws 

18"! I pd Rob' Macmui-phy Mr Mills 200£ and its intrest being 25£ and 
3£ over he would not take anything for 3 bushel of salt I had from him 
and Came home in the evening and got }4 ^ pound of tea from Rob^ Mac- 
neall and )4 a pound of snuff and an Almanack Coast 16-10-0 & I pd it & 
5 Quarts of molasses a Quire of paper and j^ of a pound of peper from 
George Duncan coast 6-8-0 & I pd it and our yoimgest Child was taken 
with the Canker 

19"' I Rid James Lyons mare back to Lo:.Derry to the Doer and got 
some things from him and what I owed him before amounted to 3-2-0 and 
I pd him and I got 5 Quarts of molasses and a Tea pot and Cream pot and 
Shu-gar bole from George Duncan coast 9-2-0 and I pd it and Jonas went 
to Tho^ Miu-doughs and got S}4 bushel of Corn and got 114 ground at 
Capt Chamberlins mill and I had the toal and he spoiled Daniel Mac- 
murphys horse 

21-*' I got 2 pounds of shugar from Ja** Walker and I pd him 20 £ old 
Tenoirr and 3 pound in Writing being the whole of what Rum I had from 
him and expenses in the house to this day 

23'' Rowans oxen was taken away and I Charged 3 Dollars for then* 
keeping and a Dollar for what trouble I had in the Case and 4 £ for the 
^YTit & summons and reed the money 

24"' I had my brors Colt and went to Litchfield and Got a bushell of 
salt from Tho« Parker and }4 bushell of beans from Will'^^ Patterson 

27"' Mr. Houston preached in Bedford from the 33d Chapter of Deuter- 
onomy and 2d verse 

On the 2oth f spent the day in examining Matthew Little and Robt 
GilLmor on their Constableship and Discharged Matthew Little 

28"' I went to Sam'i Barnets and got 2 bushell of Indian Corn on Will- 
iam Patersons acct and Got John Macnights mare to bring it home and 
got it Ground into meal at Col Goffes and gave an order to Ma'" Goffe of 
3-16-0 old Tenor and another to Jas Walker of 9-0-0 on Capt Barrons on 
acct of Capt Bushnells funeral 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIARY. 75 

39"^ I spent the afternoon and evening with Mr Alex' Macnutt at John 
Bell Junrs Concerning his Township and nionis and James Houston single 
shod my oxen he found the nails and came to my hoiise and shod them 
and Charged me 1-10-0 old Tenor and I bot a mare from John Macnight 
for 12 Dollars and I pd him 10 of them and he is to trust me the other 
two till next Derryfield fair 

FEBERUARY 1st 

James Houston set the shoes on my mare the Coles the shoes and the 
iron for the nails was mine and he welded a hing and Charged 20V O : T : 
and I got the remainder of the Cotton that Widow Nimock spun for us 
what Wool and Cotton she spun for us was 3 spinle and 4 Cutts the price 
for spinning to be settled afterwards 

2"^ I vrrit a Deed from James Mathies Jun' to John Burns and Daniel 
Moore of his home place and a home lott on Merrymack River viz no 47 
and went to Sam^^ Barnets and got 4 bushel of Indian Corn and left 2 
bushel of it at Col Goffes to be Ground on Monday 

S'^ Mr Houston was at New Boston and preached 

4^h I got the 2 bushell of Corn Into meal that I left at Col Goffes on 
Saterday & Ai-chibald MaccoUum and his bror came to my house to make 
shoes 

5"^ Lydia Murdough brot us 10 £ of Butter and I pd her for it & 27 £ she 
brot us on the first of January amounting at ^o a pistereeu pr £ to 8-6-6 
Mass money and I bot a pudding pann from her at ^-o ^ pistereeu and Dis- 
counted 6s/ old Tenor with her which I had pd James Linn for her and I 
borrowed from John Quig out soles for a pair of shoes for myself and out 
soles for a pair for Jonas and sold stuff and heells for a pair of Pumps for 
myself and Quig and I went to Holms in the evening and Drawed a war- 
rant for a town meeting to be held on the 19th instant at one of the Clock 
in the afternoon Concerning the fishing in Merrimack river 

6'^ James Linn helped me to Kill my hoggs 

7'^^ Archibald Maccollum finished makeiug shoes at my house he made 
a pair of shoes for me and a pr for Jonas and a pair of pumps for me of a 
Calve skin that James Ayers tanned for me and Tho" Maclaughliu brot 
over and I got it from him on Tuesday last what he did for me now came 
to 6 £ and I pd him it and 8 £ I owed him and James Macmurphy since last 
year for makeing shoes and I pd James Little a Dollar of Cydar I had 
from him Last Winter and 40s/ for 3 £ of Butter I had from on the 25 or 
26th of last May 

S"^ David MacCleary brot home 20 yds of Diaper and Charged 8s/ pr yard 
for weaving and I pd him the money for it 

10th Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 32d Chapter of Deuter- 
onomy and the 2d verse 

11th I went to Litchfield and bot 4 bushel of oats from Widow Parker 
and I gave her a Dollar towards them and I got 4 bushell of Indian Corn 
from Sam'i Barnett being the Remainder of the 10 bushell I was to have 
from him on William Patersous acct and got it Ground into meal at Col 
Goffes 



76 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

12"' I was at the. Examination of Francis Barnet and Hugh Riddel as 
Constable and Discharged Hugh Riddel and settled with Rol)t Walker for 
two years Treasui-ership and Discharged him for his B years Treasnrership 
having examined him for 1 years Treasiirership before 

IB^^ I went to Lieut Halls to Examin the Claims on Ai-chibald Starks 
estate and went to Lo : Derry to my mother in laws and I pd Capt Per- 
ham 4- 1 0-0 that I had from him to get a bond of guardianship for his son 

1-4"' I got >^ a pound of Tea from Rob' MacNeill at 4-10-0 and I got 15 
Quarts of molasses from George Duncans wife at 4-14-0 1 pd all the money 
for each of them and came home in the evening 

16*'' I took a web of Checked Cotton and wool to Mrs Guile 

17"' Mi- Houston preached from First Peter 5 verse of y^ first chapter 

ISth I went to John Bm-ns and Run the Dividing line between him & 
Daniel Moore of Mathies place and ^\Tit Quit Claim between them and 
took the acknowledgement and Charged a Dollar Burns pd Moore did not 

19"' I pd Timothy Barron Juu'' the remainder of the horse price I pur- 
chased of Widow Russel being 14 £ prinsaple and its intrest for S months 
being 18V 8<^ 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 19 1700 

30"' I went to New Boston and Lodged at Deacon Cochranes 

21^' I surveyed 20 acres of land for John* Smith which he bot off the Pro- 
priety Joyning on the soiith of his place 

22'^ I Avrit a Notification to Andrew Walker to hear some affidavits on 
next Monday at Deacon Tho** Cochranes 

23*^ I got 2 £ of shugar from Jas Walker 

24th -j^y Houston Preached in Merrymac at Sam'' Caldwells from the 
fii'st of peter & 4th verse 

25"' I went to New Boston and swore 4 evidences against Andi-ew 
Walker in his Case against Nev/ Boston commitee and Came home in the 
evening 

26"' I reed 87 £ of Butter from John Blair of New^ Boston I bot it on the 
21*' inst a 24 £ Mass money it came to 17-8-0 Mass old Tenor and I pd him 
2 Dollars of the price of it and I Drawed articles of Vendue for Mary and 
Elizabeth Riddel of theii* place 

MARCH 2d 

Mr Houston preached in First Peter first Chap and 4tli Verse 

3^ was a Catehcizing at the Meeting house and I and my wife and John 
was Catehcized and waited on Capt Shepard and swore the Com" on Benone 
Fm-busher estate and he pd me 1-10-0 & 1-10-0 he owed me on acct of a 
warrant against Caleb Joans 

4"' I went to Lo : Derry and Vendued Mary and Elizabeth Riddels place 
in Bedford and I tarrj'ed at my mother in Laws 

5"! I attended on a meeting of Mr Macnutts Signers and was Chose Clerk 
and one of their Commitees to go to Hallifax to Got the grant and Survey 
the Land & my wife got 22 yds of Checked that Guiles WT.fe wove for us 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 77 

6"' I siieiit % of the day in Consulting' & Drawing orders I Disbursted a 
Johanna towards carrying the affair and I returned home in the evening 
and 5 Quarts of Molasses from Robt Macneal and 3^ pound of snuff and I 
pd him 4 iL toward it the remainder is due which is 1-16-6 old Tenor 

7"> I spent in settleiug with Gaiiin Riddel on his Constableship for the 
year 1757 this evening till four a Clock in the morning a ■\\Titing for Mr 
MacNutt and Votes of the Society meeting held on the 5th 

S"' spent the day untill % past 1 1 at night Drawing the schudle of names 
for him I entered besid myself and sous 94 names 

9"^ Mr Houston was at Peterburgh 

10'** I had John and James Moor in the afternoon Cutting wood for me 
& I went to Litchfield and got 4)^ bushell of Rie from James Underwood 
and I gave him 16 Dollars in Gold in two Johanuas 

11th I y^\x, 5 adv^ertisemeuts for John Goffe for the sale of 5 Lotts of his 
in Goflfes to\vn and I got 4 bushell of the Rie I brot from Litchfield the 
day before ground into meal at the Colonels mill and John & James Moore 
Cutt Wood for me all day 

12"^ I went and measured Mary and Elizabeth Riddels land and Drawed 
a Deed from them to John Moore Jun'' and I reed 12 £ from them for my 
going over fo LondonDerry and Venduing Drawing the articles of sale and 
the Deeds and Hugh Maciunish brot home my cowes that was at Deacon 
Williames place and Hugh Blair began to break flax for me 

l(]th yij. Houston preached from the 12th of Hebrews and 14th verse 

17'*^ I Drawed 2 Deeds one from John Dickey to Col Atkinson and an- 
other from Col Atkinson to John Dickey and I took the acknowledgment 
of Dickeys Deed to Atkinson and I charged him 3 £ unpd 

18"^ I set out for Boston 

19"^ In the night following about 2 of the Clock there was a fire brok out 
at the Brazen head in Mrs Jacksons that Raged to a great Degree and was 
the Greatest fire ever known in Boston I supposs it Demolised 5 or 6 
acres 

24''' I returned home again 

On the 14th I prepared the acct of the Constables and Robt Walkers 
Treasurership to be Read at the march meeting 

25"^ I spent the day in settleing with Mr Houston for his Last years 
preaching in Bedford being 40 Sabaths days the sum was £ 800 and Gave 
him an order for the same on the Treasurer 

26"' In the morning I settled with John Davis on a note of hand of £ 13 
Contracted the first of November 1756 to this Day at 2 /6 Intrest and it 
came to £ 19-16-11 old Tenourand he pd me the money the note was Given 
for yearlin Steer of John Caldwells which came to him out of his Grand- 
fathers Estate and I went to the annual March meeting and I was Chosen 
To^\^l Ck^rk and Surveyor of Timber & I sent Mary Burns 18-15-0 by lier 
bro John what I ow(!d her was 8-17-0 

27"' I settl(!d with Rob' Mathies on his note and he pd me £ 111-2-0 old 
Tenour and gave me a note for the Remainder of what he owed me being 
£ 121-18-4 old Tenour to be paid in a year with Instrest at 2"/ 6'' pr pound 



i O MATTHEW PATTEN S DIARY. 

my brors part of what he pel me was £ 37-0-8 and I pel him £ 48 in a 
Johanna behig 10-19-4 over 

30"^ Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 12th of the Hebrews and 
14th verse 

81"' I pd Samuel Paterson 2-13-0 old Tenour I owed him and I gave in 
paying him 9V 6*^ over 

APRIL FIRST 

I Vendued 2 Lotts of Land for John Goffe at the Cols and I swore 7 sol- 
diers for Lieut Moore 

2d I granted the wart to Rebecca Moore against John Macnight 

3d I went to Lo : Derry and Lodged at my mother in Laws 

4"> was the General Fast and I heard Mr Macgregore preach in his own 
meeting house from the 9th of Hosiah & 12 verse 

5"^ I got a Gallon & a Quart of Molasses from Rob' Macneals wife and I 
pd her for it and 1-16-6 old Tenor which I owed from the last time I was 
there before which was of the 6th of March last and I came home after 
night 

6"i Mr Houston preached from the 12th Chapter of Hebrews and 14th 
verse 

7"^ I found my yearlin heifer Dead in my Meadow and I went to our 
annual meeting held by adjournment 

8"^ I pd Mr Sullivan £ 20 old Tenor in Gold being what he charged me 
for what work he did for me last mnter and I went to Litchfield and I pd 
William Paterson a pistole which was said to weigh 8-13-4 Mass old Tenor 
toward 10 bushel of Corn I had from Sam" Barnet on his acct and I pd 
Cap' Chamberlin 8 Dollars on acct of what Toal I have had and shall have 
and I got 3i<2 bushell of Rie from Jas Uiiderwood and had it Ground at 
Cap' Chamberlius and had the toal and borrowed a horse Colar from Sam^^ 
Barnet 

9'^^ I went to Col Goffes daughter Mollys funeral who Departed this Life 
at 10 minuts past 2 of the Clock of the 8th Instant and I went to Lieut 
Halls to attend the affair of Examining the Claim to Archibalds Starks 
estate and settled an acct to Timothy Farnum of Andover of £ 1000-2-0 
old Tenour 

lO'h I went along with Rob' Davidson to Di\dde off 80 acres of Land he 
sold to Randall Alexander and I tarryed all night at John Maccurdys 

11"» I Divided off the aforesaid 80 acres and he paid me for this service 
and for wTiting the Deed and the Bond of Defeazance two or three years 
ago 7-15-0 old Tenom- and I came home by the way of Tho** Halls and Col 
Goffes and I swore some man at Col Goffes for Lieut Moore and I went to 
John Bells Junr and I swore 4 men for Lieut Little and 4 for Eusn Mac- 
laughlin and 2 for Lieut Goffe 

This week I got 3 bushell of Indian corn from Jas Underwood and had 
it ground into meal at Capt Chamberlins and had the toal for pay 

lo'i^ being Sabathday Mr Houston was at Pelhani 

17"> I went to The'* Murdoughs and Writ a Deed from his father to John 
Bm-us of Monson of his farm and bums paid me 46*'-6'i old Tenor for his 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 79 

part of my Charges and I got 12 bushel of Rie from James Uiiderwood 
and brought it to Ciimiiigs feiTy and I brought it to Thomas Murdoughs 
and set it up in his Corn house and came home in the evening 

20"i Mr Rand Preached in Goffes town at Gails and I heard him preach 
from the first 7 verses of the 13th Chapter of Matthew and Mr Houston 
was at Pelham 

21^' I spent this daya going to McClearys trying to get a peice of striped 
Linnen wove but could not 

The remainder of the week I plowed and sowed Rie 

28'"' James Houston mended the middle tow of my Dung fork and Ebenz'" 
Johnson got 20 shad and did not pay for them 

29''^ I went to Robert Gilmoors House Raising and I settled on two or- 
ders which I had on Tho^ Wallace as a Constable one of 16 £ /8s and 
another of 4 £ my Rates town and ministers was 15-16-2 and I reed the 
ballance in Cash and I Indorsed the orders to him 

30*'! I went to Merrymac and got 5 Quarts of molasses from Mr Liit- 
wichie and borrowed a Dollar from Samuel Murdough to pay for them and 
I went to James Underwoods and got 2 bushel of Oats from him and Came 
to Gibsons and got almost ^a a bushell of peas from Mrs Gibson and I gave 
her 6-5-0 old Tenour and got no Change In the Night following I had a 
Cow Die in my meadow on hard bottom 

MAY FIRST 

I found her in the morning Dead who we found had Died of Calveing 
and I sowed my Early 

2<i Jonas and I Carted 12 Load of Dung 

4*'^ Mr Houston preached at Sunkook 

5"^ I sowed my oats 

10"^ I attended on the Selectmen at John Bells and I got an order for 
what I pd for the first years tax on Mr Atkinsons and Wentworths land & 
for 3 £ for Recording the figures the 2d years tax List & Warrant and an 
order for 12 £ for my Qualifying the town officers four year 

11"^ Mr Houston was in Boston 

12*'^ I pd John Gotfe 3-16-0 old Tenor and 6s/ by Writings being what I 
owed him for 2 bushel of salt I pd him 6 £ toward it by Vendueing land 
■vvi'iting advertisements &c before 

13"i William Clinton helped me and we planted my Potatoes being 3)^ 
bushell 

14'ii I attended the business of examining the Claims to Archibalds 
Starke Estate 

ISti^ I got my Mares shoes sett anew by James Houston and he charged 
20s/ old Tenor and I worked the time with him and I writ 2 Deeds one 
from Ebenz' Coston to James Aiken and another from sd Aiken to Joseph 
Houston Coston & Houston pd Aikens yet due 50s/ old Tenour 

16"! Our Cherry Cow Calved and my wife went to Tho^ Miirdoughs and 
brot away 1 bushell of the Rye that I got from James Underwoods and 
she got 5 Quarts of Molasses Lutchweikie and Changed a Johanna and 
she pd Sam" Murdough a Dollar that I borrowed from him the 30th of 



80 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

April Last and I planted a little Corn aud Beaus between the Potatoes aud 
the house 

17"^ Planted the last of my Corn 

IS^'i Mr Houston preached in Windham and Mr Goodhue of Massachu- 
setts Dunstable preached with us in Bedford in the forenoon from the Gth 
of the Proverbs from the 6th to the 12th Verse and in the afternoon from 
1 peter 2d Chapter and the former part of the 7th Verse the word To you 
therefore that believe he is precious 

19"^ Was a town meeting and it was adjourned till the 2nth instant at 
4 of the Clock in the afternoon 

20"^ I paid John Quig 3 Dollars to pay Deacon Williams for pastureing 
my oxen Las faull and keeping 2 cows a whill last Winter Which paid 
both times of tlie keeping & 7 /6 in Silver over aud above and I went to 
Londonderry and Lodged at my mother in Laws and Got a saddle and 
bridle from William Ayers 

21"*' I went to Major Tolfords and spent the day on an affair of a bond 
which Samuel Houston gave to my father in Law along with Mr Houston 
but Left the affau- as we found it 

22"! I settled with Jolm Caldwell on my being his Guardian for him and 
Divided What things was in partnership between lis I fell the Bed aud 
he the other articles and I pd him 7-15-0 old Tenor and I pd William 
Ayers 41-0-0 old Tenor for the saddle and bridle I got from him on the 
20th instant and I got % ^ pound of tea from Robt MacNeill and pd him 
4-16-0 for it and I got a bushel of salt from Robt Macmurphy and paid 
him 40s/ with something in his hand before pd him for it aud almost a 
Glass bottle full of Vinegar from Mrs Boies and Come home in the evening 
and had William Ayers Stallion serve my mare 

24th I -svTit 9 advertisements for Mr MacNutt for the men to go to Ando- 
ver to pass Muster and I went to Litchfield to see the Pi-ovincdal soldiers 
mustered and I borrowed £ 9 old Tenor from Robert Murdough and I brot 
away 3 bushel of Rie from Tho« Mm-doughs aud got it Ground at Capt 
Chamberlins mill and I had the toal 

25**^ Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 12th Chapter of Hebrews 
and 14th Verse 

26*"^ was a town meeting by adjom-nment from the 19th Instant which 
I attended and I Divided off 16 acres and 90 Rods of Land from Gauin 
Riddle to Mr Houston and settled With Mr Houston for what money the 
Constables paid him in the years 1757 and 1758 which with what I pd of 
niy own money being £15-11-10 old Tenor in both years he Reed from 
Bedford for the year 1757 with £ 1-3-10 of mine for that year £ 559-15-2 
and for the year 1758 £ 14-8-0 of mine £ 7-34-18-6 old Tenor Which he 
Endorsed on the order the Respective sums on the Respective orders the 
1-3-10 of mine is Endorsed along -svith Deacon James Moores and Benj" 
Baxters Rates the sum in the Endorsement is 18-9-3 but it does not men- 
tion Whose Rates they are and is Entered on his order for the year 1757 
and the other 14-8-0 is Entered on his order for the year 1758 

27th I went a Divided off 10 acres for Deacon William Moore being the 



MATTHE^Y PATTEN 'S DIAEY. 81 

West end of no 26 the 9th Rang the Length that it took of the Lett was 28 
Rods 4 feet and a half and half an inch Charged 40s/ unpd 

31^' I went to Amosldeg and I got 80 shad home and 10 I sold to Hugh 
Ramsey all my own Catching and he pd 30s/ for them to John Hall 

JUNE FIRST 

Mr Houston was at Merrymac 

2* I went to Amoskieg Falls 

5* I Returned home again and I got 45 Shad and 52 Ells on the 3d I 
granted two Warrt one for Parish Richardson against John Mash and 
another for Leonard Harriman against John Martain Juur of Goflfes town 
on the 5th Mash was aprehended and they agreed and Mash paid the 
coasts I reed a note off mash for my my part of the charges being £ 8-12-0 
old Tenor and I gave the note to Tho» Hall to get the money for me 

6"^ I Recorded the March meeting affairs and another meeting affairs 
held May 19 and I filled up a wi'it and summons for Sam'^ Stark against 
John Boyd of Londonderry for £ 10-10-0 old Tenor 

8^^ I went to Mr MacGregores meeting being his Sacrament and Mr 
Morehead assisted him 

9*'^ I bot 5 £ of shugar from and 2}4 £ of Logwood from George Duncan, 
and pd him for t;hem and 2V 8'^ that I owed him on the acct of a Quire of 
paper amounting in the whole to 4 £ and came home in the evening 

10"^ I went in the forenoon to Hiigh Riddels and Notified his sons to go 
to Halifax as they were elisted and I bot 5 £ of Butter from Mrs Riddle 
for half a Dollar but did not get it and I pd her the money all but a Cop- 
per and I returned Daniel MacKinney 40V out of 3 pound he had given 
me to pay for Recording his Deed from Fergus Kennedy and I settled 
Jennet Wallace for what I did in her Case as an Evidence being 10 days I 
alowed 3 days her bror William helped me (viz) 2 a reaping and 1 a mow- 
ing at home and alowed a day for what he did at my hay in the Little 
meadow and a day her bror James mowed for me at home being 5 days in 
the whol and the other 5 I charged her 15 £ and charged her 3 £ for a 
Coppy of the Case and 20V for going to her fathers and acknowledging a 
power of attorney from her to Lieut Wallace amounting besides the 5 days 
her brors helped me to 19 £ and I reed 15-10-0 of it and the Remainder is 
yet due to be paid by spinning 

11th My "Wife and I went to Londonderry and I had James Scots horse 

14th jny Wife and I came home again on the 13th I carried My Cloath to 
James Milltimber to get made on the 12th I finished and attested the 
Claim to Archibald Starks Estate 

15"' I heard Mr Houston preach in Bedford from the 12th of the 14th 
Verse 

16*h I set out for Boston in Company with Hugh Riddel and arived there 
by 6 of the Clock in the afternoon 

2P' I set out from boston about 3 of the Clock in the afternoon and 
arived home the next morning about }4 an hour after sun Riseing 

23*1 I heard Mr Daniel Emerson preach in Bedford from the 3d of the 




82 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Colossians 3d verse being the nionday after the sacrament and it Was a 
Rainy day 



On the IGth as I was a going to Boston I pd Robert Murdoiigh the £ 9 
I borrowed from him on the 24th of May last & while I was at boston I pd 
John Macnight a Dollar more of my mares price 

25"' I went to Litchfield and I got 4 bnshell of Indian Corn from James 
Underwood and I pd him 3^^ Dollars Being the fnll for all the Corn and 
Rie I have had from him and 4 bnshell of Corn I have got to come and I 
■pd William Patterson a Dollar being the fuU for the 10 bnshell of Corn I 
had from Sam" Barnet Jr on his acct and had the 4 bnshell of Corn I had 
off Jas Underwood Ground at Capt Chamberlins & had the toal for pay 

37th I -vveut to Litchfield to apprise William Parkers Estate and was 
that day npou that business and Lodged that night at Ensn Reads 

28"^ was on the same affair and afterwards I went to James Underwoods 
and got the 4 bnshells of »Corn I pd him for on the 25"' Instant and I pd 
him a Dollar for 2 Bnshell of Corn more which I did not get and I swore 
him and Ensn Read on the apprisement of Benj" Waltons Estate and 
Charged 20V old Tenor and the Admin''^ pd me 12V of it and I got the 4 
bnshels of Corn I got from Jas Underwood Ground at Capt Chamberlins 
and I had the Toal for pay 

30"' Jas Houston made one new shoe and set 2 on my mare and put a 
peice of my steel on the Colter of my plow and he Charged me 50V 

JULY FIRST 

I began to plow in fellowing my old field above my barn 

2^ I went to Tho^ Murdonghs a brot away 4 bushel of the Rie I had 
there and got 2 bnshell of it Ground at Capt Chamberlins mill and had 
the Toal for pay and I left the other 2 there 

3*1 I plowed 

4"' I went to Londonderry and got my Cloths that at James Milltim- 
bers and he Charged me £ 38 old tenonr for makeing a full coat a Jacoat 
& 2 pair Britches and as I went there I Reed from Alex"" Macnnirphy a 
Johanna for what time I spent in examining the claims to Arcibald 
Starks estate and £ 4-13-0 O : T : he pd Lieut Hall amoimted to the whole 
of my part for my part of sd service 

5"^ I went to William Adamses to James Miltimber and he altered the 
Britches and Jacoat and I came home in the evening 

6"' I heard Mr Houston preach in Bedford from the 14th Verse of the 
12th Chapter of the Hebrews 

T*"* I plowed about }4 an acre it was very hot 

gth I -writ a Deed for Lieut Moor to Tho« Mm-dough & I went to the Lot 
no 14 in the 6th Rang along with Murdough which finished the day 

G"' I had my brors mare and I plowed among my Corn apd Potatoes and 
I went in the afternoon to James Houston and he mended 2 hoes & the 
Colter of my plow and Charged 1-15-0 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 83 

10th_iith_i2th_i4th_i7th I -^yorkt at Piscataquog River Bridge on the 14th 
I borrowed £ 5-15-0 old Teuor from luy bror Samuel and I pd the Select- 
men £ 12 Old Teuor which was in my hands of arrearage money that the 
selectmen picked tip last year out of the former Constables and Treasur- 
ers hands on the 15th I Joyned with Samuel Paterson to Fish for Salmon 
and Catched 2 1 weighed £ 12)^ and the other £ 18 the small one I had 
and the Large one he had on the 16th we Raised the bridge over Piscata- 
quog River and sett our nett that night and by morning we had a 9 and a 
G pound salmon the Large one I had and the small one Patterson had 

18'^ I went to Litchfield and got 2 bushel of Indian Corn from Mr 
James Underwood which I had pd him for before on the 28th of Last June 
and got it Ground into Meal at Capt Chamberlins and I had the toal and 
brot away 2 bushels of Rie Meal I took the Rie there the second Instant 
and i pd my bror Samuel a bushell of Indian Meal which I borrowed of 
him Last fall or mnter 

19"^ I plowed and in the Evening Samuel Patterson and I Catched a 
Salmon which Weighed £ 8 And I had it 

20^'^ Mr Houston preached in Merrymac meeting house 

21'^ I mowed the Lott no 74 in the Little Meadow and Samuel Paterson 
and I Catched 2 Salmon that weighed £ 21 14 and I had them both 

23d I writ 2 Letters one for Mad'" Goffe and another for myself to go to 
her husband and I mowed all on the outside of my Fence at the Little 
Meadow and Jonas and I Raked 7 Cocks and Samuel Paterson and I 
Cactched 3 Sahnon and he took 2 of them which we Judged to Weigh £ 25 
and I had one that weighed £ 11 I am about £ 4 ahead of him in all since 
we began to Cactch 

23d I Knit at my fly Net and finished what T^vine I had the whole of 
what Net I have is 15 yds of a Chain and Sam^^ Patterson and I Cutt out as 
much of his old nett as it filled and We hung it in the evening and 
Catched a £ 10 Salmon which I had and Jonas finished Raking what hay 
I had mowed at the Little meadow 

24"^ I set out to go to Suukook and Nottingham East pr Capt MacNutts 
order to Bring in some Desarters but my Mare was lame in her off for Leg 
or shoulder that I went no farther than Thomas Halls and Returned home 
again 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JULY 24th 1760 

25'^ I and Sam^i Paterson Catched one salmon of £ 9^^ and I had it and 
went over to Londonderry and took Sam^i Rankins Deposition for Capt 
MacNutt against James Mathies and I had Sam^i Patersons Horse 

26*11 X got my bror Rob' Macmurphys mare and went to Swans Ferry to 
see Capt Macnutt and Came back to my Mother Macmurphys 

27'ii I heard Mr Macgregore preach in Londonderry from the 9th verse 
of the 25th Psalm and came home in the Evening 

28"i I began to mow in my Little Meadow and Carted home a Load of 
hay from the Disputed Lott 

29"^ I Carted home another and "mowed in the forenoon and went in the 



84 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

Evening and fished in partnership mth Tho^ Parker and got a Small sal- 
mon the one half of it was Sam" Patersons it weighed £ 10 

30tii I went up Piscataqiiog River in order to fish with Mr Tho* Parker 
but was too Late and Came to Merrimack river and Catched one at Cold 
Brook and 3 at Patersons Brook and Samll Patterson and I had 3 of them 
and I got his part the whole weighed £ 691^; 

31'*' John Qnig Sam'^ Patten and I went to arbitrat between Nehemiah 
and Daniel Macueal Concerning Nehemiahs place 

V AUGUST FIRST 

was on the same business and finished it & Came home in the evening 
these two days especially the 31st of July was Wet Rainy Wether being 
the only Rain that we have had for about 4 weeks so as to Soak the 
Ground 

On the 30th of Last month Jonas went to ThC^ Miu-doughs and brot 
away 4 bushells of Rie I had there and left 2 of it at Capt Chamberlius 
and 2 he brot home and pd it to my bror Sam" being what Rie I borrowed 
of him Last FauU 

2^ 1 niovv^ed in the afternoon in the Little Meadow 

3"^ Mr Houston was at Peterbourg 

4 & 5"^ was Rainy Weather on the 5th my wife went to Tho^ Mur- 
doughs and Got a bushell of Beans 

6* turned and shaked out hay in the Little meadow and I mowed in the 
afternoon and I borrowed a Wooden bottle of Rum from John bell 

7"! our black Cow took bull and I raked with Jonas and John 34 Cocks 
of hay at the Little Meadow 

8"^ I began to Reap Rie in my field by my brors and had Alex'' Orr help- 
ing me and Jonas Raked 15 Cocks of hay at the Little meadow 

9*'i Alex'^ Orr helped in the forenoon & Jonas and I Reaped all Day 
these two Days we Reaped 19 stocks and 2 sheaves and my wife went to 
Jos Hoggs and got 10 Quarts of Rum coast £ 10 

10* Mr Houston preached from the 3d verse of the oth Chai^ter of 
Matth^ Gospel 

11"^ Jonas went to Capt Chamberlins and brot home 2 bushels of Rie 
meal which the had sunned and ground for me and Sam" Patterson and 
I Catched a Salmon weighed £ 19 & he had 6H of it 

12"' Alex'' Orr Rob' Morrial and Tho'* Mathies mfe Reaped for me 

13''' James Scott John MacManas & John Buckley Reaped for me 

14'!' the above 3 men finished my Reaping about 3 a Clock their Charge 
was £ 18 I paid then £ 12-10-0 and James Linn pd his note to nie of 
11-15-0 there was 1-6-0 pd by Lydia Murdough the Intrest he pd by kill- 
ing 6 Creatures for me he alowed me £ 1 1 out of what money he gave me 
and there Remain due to him 1-10-0 and Jean & Esther Patterson and 
my John and I Catched 2 Salmon 1 weighed £ 22 and the other about 8 
the small one they had and I had the Large one 

I had 32 stooks & 9 sheaves on the field by my brors and 52 & 11 sheaves 



MATTHEW PATTEI^'S DIARY. 85 

in the field before my house aniountiug iu the whole to 85 stocks aud 8 
sheaves 

15*i» Samuel Patterson Alex' Macnurrphy and I Catched a Salmon 
weighed £ 11 and Alex' Macmiirphy had it 

16*'^ I Carted home a Load of hay from the Little Meadow and 12^^ 
stooks of Rie 

17th ]y[j. Wilkins preached in Bedford from the 25th Chapter of Isiah 
and 6th Verse 

18"^ I Carted in 73 stooks & 8 Sheaves of Rie and I Drawed 2 Com- 
plaints aud warts one for Widow Nutt against her son Sam-^ and one for 
Jeau Gordou against her bror Sam^^ the Charge of Each is 6-8-0 old 
Tenour both unpaid 

19th 20tii 21"' & 22'! was on the business of the Differauce betweei^Robt 
Macmurphy and widow Cunningham on the 22d John Tolford and I 
signed a Deed to Alex Macmurphy of a peice of Land which lys by him 
which was Left to John Tolford Wni Tolford John Caldwell and me and 
Lieut Craig set the fore shoes anew of my mare and Alex' macmurphy 
pd for them 

24th ]y[p Houston was at Merryniac 

25*'^ I gave a notification to Widow Hobbs of Amherst to William Joans 
to hear some affidavit taken on thiu-sday the 28th Instant and I mowed 
about % a day in the Little meadow aud I Carted home a load from there 
in the Evening 

26*'^ the Rowns of the bottom of my long Cart body was all given away 
on the off side of the spear and I mended it and I settled with John Bell 
Junr and I owed him £ 12-5-3 old Tenor and I went to the Little meadow 
and with Jonas and John turning the hay we Raked and Cocked what I 
luowed the day before being 17 Cocks 

27'^^ I mended some Rakes aud went to the Little meadow and mowed 3 
Cocks and Carted home a Load of hay from there 

28"^ I went to Amlierst to take some affidavits for Widow Amie Hobbs 
and I reed 12 £ for my pains and tarried all night at Ensn Reads & James 
Mathies wife pd £ 50 towards his note 

29**^ I came home about 12 of the Clock and Wm Nutt came for me to 
go to Col Goffes to hear and try the case between his mother and sister 
Gordou and bror Samuell aud I went and heard and adjudged in their 
Cases but the accommodated after Tryal and the judgment was not Read 
out 

SC^ I Drawed a Deposition for William Peabody and he pd me 34"/ S^^ 
old Tenor for it & Scott & MacManos began to Cl«ar for me 

3pt ]y[j. piouston preached in Bedford from the 5th verse of the loth 
Chapter of St. Luke 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I Drawed another Deposition for William Peabody and finished the Cap- 
tions on the Deposition between the Widow Hobbs and William Joans aud 
Returned the Rule of Court Concerning New Boston conunitee & Andrew 
Walker to Court again and Sent a letter and £ 12 in cash old Tenor to Mr 



86 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

Livermore or Parker to Manage a Case for MacNutt against Robt Wallace 
and Writ a Letter for Deacon Cochrane to Mr Parker of Portsmouth 

3'^ John Clogston Biitchere a ewe that weighed £ 43)^' and I went to 
John Jacobs and got a peice putt on my Syth and pd him lOV for it 

4"» I finished mowing at the Little meadow 

0*1^ I began to mow at home in the forenoon 

7^^ Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the oth verse of the 15th 
Chapter of St Luke- 

8*'^ Scott and Macmanus began again to Clear for me in the Little 
Meadow and Cleared all this week untill Saterday night 

11 & 12* Robt Smith helped me to mow at home in my meadow and on 
the 11th Htigh Blah- came from New Boston to my house to work for me 

13th Roijt Smith and I Butchered the old Belled Ewe 

14th jyfp Houston preached in Merrymac 

15"^ James Houston Drawed my Crow barr and sett the Eye of an axe 
into shape and made a new blade for my Jack knif and Charged 20V old 
Tenour and I wrot a letter for Sarah Bell to her husband at no 4 

17'h I finished mo-sving and Scot and Macmanus went to Clear this day 
again for me 

21st ]^p Houston was in Bedford but it was a Rainy day and I did not go 
to meeting 

22^1 Scot & MacManus finished Clearing the Lot no 60 Scot was 12 days 
and MacManus was 11 their Charge was £ 69 & I pd them £ 50 

23'! I reed a Letter from Capt MacNutt and I wrot one to him 

25"^ I made a Calender the sides wood and the Bottom tinn 

26"' the Surveyor proposed to work at the Highway to the east of John 
Bells and accordingly I went 

27"' Hannah Chamberlin finished Spinning at oxn house she came the 
18th of Aug-ust and Charged £ 12-10-0 and I pd her £ 8-0-0 and I Carted 
in 3 Jags of Hay 

28"' Mr Houston preached from the 6th Chapter of Romans and 6th 
Yerse in Bedford 

30"' I sit on the Bussness of Referance between new Boston commitee 
and Andrew Walker adjourned till Monday the 13th of October to meet at 
James Walkers again at ten of the Clock in the forenoon 

OCTOBER FIRST ^ 

Deacon Cochran and Andrew Walker agreed their Case themselves and 
I spent the day in Dra^wing the judgment and with them and took a Note 
for my pay from Andrew Walker the sum being £ 32 in all for my trouble 
in going to New Boston Last Winter to take Depositions and Summoning 
Evidences Notifieing the partys and refferres sending to Court for a second 
rule &c 

2'^ spent part of the day with Deacon Cochrane and Andrew Walker 
4"' I sett up the fence between Deacon Moor & I in the Little Meadow 
on the South side of mine there was 36 lengths and my wife let Alex"" Orrs 
wife have 2 bushell of Rie being what Orr charged me for what he reaped 
for me last Reaping time 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 87 

5th -^Ij. Houston preached at New Boston 

6^'^ I helped Deacon Smith to pry up his house 

7th Hugh Blair Went to New Boston all he has helped me since he came 
to me the 11th of September is 16 days 

O'^'i I finished makeing a Harrow for John Clogstone 

IQt'i I workt at New Boston Highway 

12th -^j. Houston preached in Bedford from the 6th Chapter of Romans 
and 6th verse 

14"» James Houston sett 2 shoes on my Mares fore feet and charged 16V 
old Tenor 

15"^ my wife and I went a Chesnutiug but made a poor hand of it 

16*'^ I sowed 2 bushell of Rie in my old field by my brors and I writ a 
deed from John Quig to Matth"- Macdutfey of his place and Rob' Parkesin 
Released the bargain of it and he pd the ■s\Titings and all his part of the 
Conveyance to him except lOy old Tenor and I writ a Deed from Timothy 
Ferrin to Leonard Harriman and it was not paid the charge of it is 20"/ 
and I pd Samuel Patterson 30V old Tenor toward what Salmon I had off 
him this summer with 9/6 I pd him last year Cleared us of the Salmon I 
had all but 20 £ 

19"^ Mr Houston preached in Bedford from St Luke y« U Chapter & 9 
& 10th verses 

20"' I Drawed an acct for Mehetibel Emery against John Mash and a 
Power of Attorney from her to William Karr and Karr Promised to pay it 
the charge is 40V 

21^' James Linn & Alex' Orr helped me to Butcher my Stagg which 
weighed £ 374 of Beaf & £ 59>^ of hide and I Qualified William Karr a 
Deputy Sheriff 

22^1 I took my Calf to pastui-e at Pattersons & Diged Potatoes the Rest of 
the day 

26''^ Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 11th Chapter of St Luke 
and the 9th & 10th verses 

27"' was a training and I went to it and I got 3 bushel of Rie Ground at 
Col Goffes mill and before I went away I helped my bror to make part of 
a Chees and I put in 12 bushell of apples with him and he filled 3} 2 barrels 
with Cydar 1)^ I suppose my apples made & the other 2 barrels I expect to 
pay for 

28"' I Digged potatoes in the afternoon and Jonas Digged all day for 
William Barnet 

29"^ Jonas digged potatoes all day for Will'" Barnett and he sent home 
with Jonas for what We helped him 3 bushell 

The night between the 30th and 31st I had a small fitt of the Fever & 
augue 

31«t I lay abed all day 

NOVEMBER 

3'^ I carried £ 6% of yarn for warp & £ 8J^ of filler of all wool to Will- 
iam Nutt to weave & he pd me £ 24-10-0 old Tenor on acct of his mothers 
note to me 



00 MATTHEW PATTEX S DIARY. 

5"' I made a Dung shovel 

6"' I went to John Smiths in Goffes town and got 7 yds of pleided 
Cloath she wove for iis 

7"' I went to Tho** Wallaces & got i^ a bushell of Onions from his wife 
and did not pay for them for want of Change 

8'*^ I & Jonas went to John Thomas and Run round the land he had of 
me and I got 13 bushell of potatoes from him one of them his Wife give to 
mine & I got 33 hard burnt Brick from Tho^ Wallace they came to S/'* old 
Tenor the Potatoes & brick unpaid & Lucy Barron came to work at our 
house for us 

gth ]y[p Houston was at Newbury 

IQth I went to New Boston and Lodged at Deacon Cochranes and Jonas 
went and got a shoat from William Baruett which I am to pay £ 13 for 
and another from my bror that I doiit know the price 

11"^ I went to John Blau-s and I Bargained with Mrs Blair for 4 Tubbs 
of Butter a 4"/ in Silver pr £ aud Hugh Blair gave me 2^4 bushell of Pota- 
toes and I came home that afternoon and evening 

13"' I went to Samuel Barnets and got 4 bushell of Indian corn from him 
and I pd him a Johanna and am to have corn for the whole of it and it 
began to snow in the afternoon being the first that fell that year it was 3 
or 4 inches Deep 

14"! I hunted and wounded 2 buck but got none of them 

IS**! My bror Samuel and I followed one of the buck but could not get 
him 

IQtii -^j. Houston preached in Bedford from the 9th Chapter of Hebrews 
and the 2 last verses 

17tii I went to the Funeral of old Mrs Pebles who Departed this Life last 
Saterday 

igth I -went to Sam" Barnets and I got 4 bushell of Indian Corn & I got 
2 bushel of it Ground at Col Goffes Mill 

20''^ I went to John Blairs of New Boston & brot away 2 tubbs of Butter 
the one weighed £ 56 Tub and butter mthoiit the lid the other was £ 43% 
of Butter 

2P' I went to Mr Houstons and writ a Deed from his father in Law 
from him unpd 

22'i I got £ 2 of shugar from Matthew Little unpd 

23*1 Mr Houston was at New Boston 

25"^ I went to Samuel Barnets and I got 2 liushel of corn from him and 
2 bushell from Joseph Farmer there is only 30V pd toward Farmers which 

1 pd by Coppying a bond and I pd James Scott 16-10-0 old Tenor being 
the whole of what I owed him on acct of his Reaping aud Clearing for me 

26"' I got 2 bushell of the corn I got the day before ground at Col Goffes 
mill 

27"' was the general Thanksgiveing 

28"' I winnowed 11 bushell & about 10 Quarts of Rie 

29"' I went to Sam" Barnets and got 4 bushell of- Indian corn & got 2 
bushell of it ground into meal at Col Goffes mill 

31st ]y[p Houston preached in Bedford from ye 97 Pslam & first verse 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 89 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I winuowed almost 3 bushel rie aud went along with Haws to see the 
Lott no 1 on the north side of Piscataqiiog River but did not sell it and 
had a jill of Rum at Matthew Littles on Credit 

2'i Was a town meeting which I attended & before the meeting by one 
of the Selectmen's desire I went to lay out a Highway from Deacon Walk- 
ers to the meeting house but did not do it 

3'^ I workt Piscataquog bridge 

G"^ I went to Sam^i Barnets and got 4 bushell of Indian Corn and got 2 
bushell of it Ground at Col Goffes mill 

8"' I hunted & got nothing 

9"^ I went along with Cap* John Stark & Tho*> Hall to Litchfield on an 
affair of Land between them & Tho^ Read Esq'' 

11"' I came home again from sd business and got 4 bushel of Indian 
Corn from Sam^^ Barnett 

12"' I assisted in laying the plank on the bridge over Piscataquog River 

14"' Mr Houston was at Merrymac 

15"^ I attended on the selectmen & Reed 2 orders one of 24 £ and the 
other of 31 being the pay for 5 years Clerkship 

17"' I went to Sam^^ Barnets and got 4 bushell of Indian corn & got 2 
bushell of it gTound at Col Goffes mill 

18*'' James Houston sett my mares shoes and steeled the toes of 2 shoes 
and charged 40V 

19"' I killed a Buck that weighed 27 £ pr Quarter and I writ a Deed 
from John Anderson to George Orr of the Lott no 3 in the 2d Rang on the 
north side of Piscataquog River in Goffes town 

21'** my Wife to Lo: Derry to see her mother who was taken unwell the 
week before 

23'! I went to Tho'* Murdoughs and 4 bushell of Indian corn and got 2 
bushell of it ground at Cap' Chamberlins mill and I had the toal I had my 
brors mare to bring it home 

26"' I granted a War' to James Gibson against John & Tho** Worthley 
and 7 Supeneas the charge of the whole is 25V new Tenor tinpd 

27"' I went to Tho^ Murdoughs and got 4 bushell of Indian corn and got 
2 bushell of it ground at Cap' Chamberlins mill & I had the toal 

28"* Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 55"' of Isiah and 3d 
Verse 

29"' I made the province Rates & Drawed the warrant 

30"' I borrowed 3 sheats of paper of my brother 

JANUARY FIRST 1761 

I went to Tho'* Murdoughs and got 4 bushells of Indian corn and got 2 
biishell of it ground at Cap' Chamberlins and I had the toal and I went 
through among several of Merrymac Inhabitants who was Rated with us 
in Bedford to the minister 

2'' I killed a sow and went to Goffes mill and got 2 biishell of Rie 
ground 



90 ■ MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

In this month I got 4 bushell of Corn from Tho'' mnrdoiighs and on the 
6"^ Alex'' Orr helped me to Idll two Hoggs and I took a Staggs hid which 
weighed 59 £ and a Cow hide that died in the Calving to Lieu' Robys in 
Chester and I got 2 sides of sole Leather from him that he tanned for me 
last year and a side of iipper leather Marked at 10-10-0 oil acct of the 2 
hides I put in now and I went to New Boston and got 2 bags full of Tur- 
nips from Hiigh Gregg and 2 Tubbs of butter from Mrs Blair and I got 
one bushell of salt from Mr Daniel Ingles and Sold him a parcel of Timber 
at 3^ a Dollar pr Tun Round Measure to be paid the one half in Salt the 
other in Cash and I Aysnt to Boston with the Butter I had off Mrs Blair 
the butter brot me 5V pr £ the whole Quantity I had from her was 182^ 
£ which amounted to 36-8-0 Mass: old Tenor what things I bot for her came 
to 17 £ and I sent them to her by her son W" and 19-8-0 Mass: old tenor 
in Cash and I purchased one of the Tubbs from W'" for 1-4-0 old Tenor 
but could not pay him for want of Change and I Reed 25 £ old Tenor from 
Gauin Riddell £ 24 of it was on acct of an order I had from the selectmen 
In this month I borrowed £ 8 old Tenor from Jas Walker and I paid it 
to John MacManus being what I owed him for what he Cleared for me 
last Faull and I paid Samuell Barnett £ 30 old Tenor being the whole of 
what I owed him for what Corn I had from him last faull and this winter 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 31^' 1761 
FEBRUARY 

3*1 I Returned home from Boston 

8"' I heard Mr Houston preach from the Chaptr and the verse of 

10"' Jas Houston sett a shoe on my mare and I went through among 
several of the Inhabitants of merrymac who was Rated with us in Bedford 
for preacliing 

11"' Jas Houston Laid an ax for me and Charged 4-10-0 old Tenor and 
attended a meeting of the Selectmen at Gauin Riddells 

12"' Jas Houston put a hoop on a pott and charged 1-4-0 and I went to 
Londonderry to a meeting of Nova- Scotia Subscribers & I pd Mr« Bell a 
Dollar what I owed her was 4 peistereeus 

13^^ went to Chester 

14"' William Tolford & I Deed away a lott in the 80 acres in Chester to 
Dr Sam" Moor for £ 1600 o Tenor no 69 and John Caldwell and I Deeded to 
John & William Talford our part of 2 forty acre lotts & half and 1 sixty 
acre lott and half and one Meadow Lott & half for 600 £ old Tenor & 
William Tolford gave me a bushell of wheat 

15"' I heard Mr Macgregore preach from the 32 Chapter of 2d Chronicles 
and 25tli Verse 

16* I went and Settled on my note to Mrs Wear and pd £ 100 and gave 
a note for the Remainder being 155-1-4 old Tenor on Demand and And 
Rob' Macmurphy gave me a bushell of Wheat and I bot 1 Dozen of But- 
tons from W" Duncan and paid Joseph Hogg 4-5-0 and 16V he owed me 
for ^vriting a Deed paid him 5 £ I owed him for 5 Quarts of Riim my sis- 
ter in Law got for me last Summer and I Cleared at Col Goffes for all I 
owed in the house being 2-19-0 old Tenor 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 91 

17tii I got the 3 bushell of wheat above meutioued ground, at Col Goffes 
mill and I pd James Walker the £ 8 I borrowed of him Last January and 
my ^vife was taken with Travail pains and I got 7 Quarts and a half a 
pint of Rum from John Bells Junrs wife 

18"^ my wife was in hard Labor all the night before and was Delivered 
this day Between 11 & 13 of the Clock of a man child 

19"^ I got 7 Quarts and >2 ^ pi^t of Rum more from John Bell Junr and 
I pd the midmfe £ 3 old Tenor and carried her home and went and 
attended on the Selectmen at Matthew Littles at the settlement of Rob*^ 
Gilmore on his Constableship 

33'i Mr Houston preached from the 55th Chapt of Isaiah and 3d Verse in 
Bedford 

34"i I gave Obidiah Haws £ 6 old Tenor to take my yegirs ferriage out of 
& got no change 

35"^ I swore James Moor Robert Giffin David Thompson Rob' Morrial 
and Alex'' Orr Concerning theii" being at Fort Frederick over Winter in 
the year 1760 the first 4 I charged a peistereen and Giffin is to pay it and 
Orr I charged 16V old Tenor & I sent Jonas and got a bushell of Early 
from John Clogston and I cutt Rail timber on the highway at the west 
end of Benj" Smiths land and I got S% Quarts of Rum from John Bell 

26^^ was a suowey Day & I cutt wood at home 

37"^ I cutt wood and Jonas hauUed 

MARCH 

1'*' was Sabath day and I went to Lo: Derry & heard Mr Macgregore 
preach from the 13 & 13 verses of the first Chapter of the 1st Corinthians 

3<i I got 5 Quarts of Rum from W" Rankin and pd him 5-10-0 for it and 
came home 

3^^ I pd Tho^ Miu-dough £ 50-0-0 old Tenor and I got a horse Corlar from 
Deacon James Moor unpd 

4th I Drawed a Compt & Wart for Daiiiel Macmurphy against Richard 
Rowan and attended the selectmen in Drawing the acct of the coast of 
Building the bridge over Piscataquog River and I Drawed the Wart for 
the March Meeting Alex'' Orr & Charles Black cutt wood for me 

5"' was summoned an Evidence in INIacmurphys case and attended the 
tryal of Hugh and Richard Rowans Cases and made the bridge rate and 
Wart for Collecting the same and Charles Black cut wood the forenoon 

6"' Charles Black cut wood all day and George pearson came here to 
work for a fortnight for £ 13 old Tenor & I went to Mer' William Dun- 
cans and got 4 Gain and 3 Quarts and }4 pi^t of Rum a £ 4 pr Gain came 
to £ 31-3-0 and paid him £ 13 of it 

7"^ I pd John Bell Junr 4 Gallon and 3 Quarts and 1 pint & ^4 of Rum 
what I owe him yet of Rum is 2H Quarts 

9"' I went to Amherst and Qualified their town officers and charged 
them a Dollar which they paid & James Smith ciit Rail stuff for me 

lO''^ I came home again 

11"' I attended on the selectmen and Reed a Discharge on my being 
Treasurer for the years 1757 and 1758 and I liad John Quigs oxen and Dea- 



92 INIATTHP^W patten's DIAEY. 

con Smiths oxen and James Smith helping me to Draw Rail stuff to y'' 
Little Meadow on the west side 

12"' I had James Smith and his fathers oxen lielping me to Draw Posts 
& Rail stuff to the Little meadow 

This morning about 2 of the Clock there was a Considerable smart shock 
of an Earth Quake which "Wakened me out of sleep 

13"' & 14"' I Drawed 16 Load of wood and I had John Clogstones slede 
these three days and on the 14th I paid William Barnett £ 12 old Tenor 
for a Shoat I had from him last Faull 

15"' was Sabathday and Mr Houston was in Merrymac 

l(i"' I Reed £ 6-l/)-(i old Tenor from Rob' Gilmor of Merrymac being the 
Remainder of a Quarter of Beaf he had from niv faull was a twelve month 

18"' George Pearson finished his fortnight that I had hii-ed him for 

19"' I helped Deacon Smith to Rais the barn lie bouglit on Greggs place 

21st I went to Merrymac and got 7 lb of sliiigar from Mr Lutwychie and 
paid him 1-15-0 in Mass old Tenor and (iV on acct of the mistake of a 
Quart of molasses near a twelve months ago and I got 4 bushell of Indian 
corn from Tho'^ Murdough and had 2 bushell of it ground at Cap' Cham- 
berlins and had the Toal and I paid Hannali Chamberlin 4-10-0 old Tenor 
being what I owed her for what work she did for lis last siimmer and I got 
2 Quarts of Riam from William HenVy and I paid him for it and 2}^ Quart 
of Molasses I had from him this Winter and I rinrd 10-14-() old Tenor from 
William Henry being his Ministers Rates in Bedford for the year 1758 
and I got a Cliair from James Wallace and I pd him 40V for it 

22"' Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 29th Psalm and Verse 

23'^ I haulled I post and 3 slit work cutts at the Little Meadow and I had 
Benj" Smiths oxen and I went to the funeral of John Burns son John 

24"' I Drawed one slit work cut and had Quig and Deacon Benj" Smiths 
oxen and I wi-it a Deed from Hugh Riddell to Obdiah Haws and charged 
20V unpaid and writ a mortgage Deed from Haws to James Voce 3 notes 
from Haws to Riddel and took the ac;knowledgement of both Deeds and 
Charged Haws £ 4 old Tenor and he pd 25V old Tenor and the Remainder 
is due 

25"' was oiir annual March Meeting and I was chose Clerk and Siirveyor 
of Lumber 

26 & 27"' I was on the business of settling Sam" Murdoughs Estate 
among the heirs on the 27th I got 4 bushell of Indian corn from Tho" Mur- 
dough and I got it ground at Cap' Chamberlins Mill and I had the toal 
and on the 2(ith James Linn and Alex^ Orr Butchered a sow for me 

29"' Mr Houston preached in Bedford from the 29th Psalm and 3d Verse 

APRIL FIRST 

I swore Alex'" Maccollum and Tho" Wilson to the Inventory of New Bos- 
ton and the same day I swore Alex'' Walker & Samuel Richards to the 
Inventory of Goffes town and Went to Tho" Halls to take Cap' John Stai'k 
and his wifes Deposition concerning a Newbury lottery Ticket but Col 
Goffe had taken it before I went and I came home in the Evening 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 93 



On the 30tli of last month I got 2 pigs from James Lyon nnpd and I 
took a sow to the boar to William Thompson and on the 31st I got a ^2 
bushell of peas from him and I paid him 3-15-0 old Tenor and Reed no 
Change 

5*'^ Mr Houston preached in Merrymac 

6 7 & 8"» I was on the biisness of Dividing Samuel Mm-doughs Estate 
among his Wife and Children 

gtii I -vvent along with Nehemiah Maeneal to View the place he let his 
bror Daniel have along with my bror Samuel and he gave us 6 £ old Tenor 

10*'^ I sett up the barrs at the Little meadow & split 24 Rails more there 

11"^ I began to Sow and plow in Rie 

15"^ I Drawed Bedford Inventory to go to court and Qualified the taker 
of it (viz) Cap' Barron and charged £ 3 old Tenor luipd and settled with 
James Mathies on his Note and I reed £ 1 1 1 

IGf' I pd Jolm Thomas 18 £ old Tenor for 12 bushell of potatoes I had 
from him last faull and I went to Lon: derry and Lodged at my Mother in 
laws 

17"* I came to my brother in Laws Alex"" Macmurphys and got a meas of 
fish and parsnips & french Turnips and Cabage and a quarter of veal from 
my Mother in law 

lP,th J granted a Warrant to Jos Butterfield of Monson against William 
Jones of Amherst for on profane oath and 4 suppeneas the whole charge is 
4-8-0 old Tenor unpd 

19"* I heard Mr Houston in Bedford preach from the 12th Chapter of 
Hebrews and 1st verse 

20* I began to "s\Tit a Letter to Mr Houston 

31^' I pd Rob' Smith £ 12 old Tenor being the whole that I owed him for 
makeing and Mending shoes for me 

23'^ was the Fast preparetory to the Sacrement in Bedford and I deliv- 
ered my letter to Deacon James Moor to give to Mr Houston 

24"* I got a tramil and an Eye put on a hatchet at James Houstons and 
the charge was 7-15-0 and I went to Mr Lutvnchies and % £ of Tea and 
m of Logwood and him for them being 1-7-6 in Mass old Tenor and I 
reed a letter from Mr Houston 

25"' Rob' Mathies paid off the last of the price of his Land being 138-8-0 
old Tenor and I pd my bror Samuell £ 24 of his part and I owe him 22 £ 
yet of his part and I sent a second letter to Mr Houston by my boy 

26"* was the Sacrement in Bedford and I heard Mr Mitchel preach from 
the 8th of the Romans and 23d Verse 

27th I -wrent to meeting and heard Mr Mitchel preach from the 2d of Col- 
losians and 6th verse and sent 16/9 Mass old Tenor by Gauin Riddell to 
Boston to buy a shamy sheeps skin 

29"* was the Provincial Fast 

30"' My bror went along with me to Mac Allesters mill and 2 pr of oxen 
and I had John Bells Junr and Gauin Riddels and Richard Mac Allesters 
oxen and we Drawed out in 7 white pine Loggs and 4 Cutts of oak for Slit 



94 MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIAEY. 

work iinto tlie ^yays and I brot away 258 feet of Boards that Gauin Riddell 
sawed for me 

MAY FIRST 

I went to Lo: Derry and Sent a letter to Cap* Francis Peabody Concern- 
ing Cap' MacNiitt drawing wages for me out of tlie Treasmy 

2'^ I pd of my note to Lieu' John Wear of 135-1-4 and its Intrest since 
the 9th of February and he gave me 20"/ and 10 pence of the lutrest only 
we alowed in the cast a week intrest more than was due and I borrowed 
20V old Tenor from Rob' Macmurphy and I got near 3 pecks of Flaxseed 
from him and I came home in the Evening 

3'' I heard Mr Houston preach in Bedford from the 13 & 14 verses of the 
29th Chapter of Jeremiah 

4th I -went to JSiacAllesters mill and carried off 2 stocks of boards that 
John MacAUester sawed for me the one stock measured 322 feet and the 
other 382 feet and I got the shamey skin from Gauin Riddell that I sent 
for by him to Boston it cost 15V in Silver and I sent 16/9 and in the after- 
noon it began to snow and continued snomng all night the wind Easterly 

5'^^ It snowed all day it abated in the evening it fell about S^ inches 
Deep at my house it is said it fell 10 inches deep at William MacDoles and 
mid legg deep in Chester and at one a Clock in the Afternoon and was 
then snowing hard it fell 15 inches deep in Starks town 

6"^ the snow went mostly off about my house and I let John Bell Junr 
have 2 bushell of rie pr his bror James 

7th J went and took care of my boards at MacAllesters mill Gauin Rid- 
dell sawed 8 stocks which measured 876 feet and Joseph Houston sawed 2 
stocks that measured 419 feet and he and I Divided a stock that he was to 
have had the whole of that he sawed last f auU the whole of what Gauin 
Riddell sawed for me is 1134 feet he had a stock of boards from me in 1754 
that Measured 286 feet the whole of what I owe him is 622 feet after 
alloweing for that stock he had in 1754 

9th I "vvent to Mr Lutweikys and got 7 £ of shiigar and paid him 1-15-0 
Mass old Ten'^ for it and I got 1}4 Bushell of potatoes from John Thomas 
that he gave me 

10"^ Mr Houston preached at Mr Batchelders parish in Haverhill 

11th J went to MacAllesters Mill and carried off 4 stocks of slit work 
that John MacAlester sawed for me they measured 482)^ feet the sawing 
came to 7 £ old Tenor the whole he sawed for me this spring of boards and 
slit work conies to 14-4-0 old Tenor I owe him the whole yet and I I went 
to James Houstons and I got an old ax made into a holeing ax and it cost 
25V and I got a new staple for an ox yoke which cost 27V 

12"^ I paid Mary Houston 21V old Tenor that I owed her for spinning 
fihe did here some years ago and I went along with Daniel Macmuri)hy to 
show him my farm in Goffestown 

Kjth I went to Namaskeig and got 3 shad 2 Tho" Karr gave me and 1 I 
bot of Zeldel Stevens and gave him 4^/ for it and Mrs Hall sent my -wife a 
peice of Salmon and I pd Cap' John Stark one Johanna on Crown Sterling 
and one shilling & one six pence Sterling with one Dollar was due to me 



MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIARY. 95 

out off his fathers estate and 1}.^ Dollar was due to nie on acct of prising 
his fathers Estate amounted to 12 Dollars lacking 6 copers being the intrest 
due lacking 6 copers for one year of what money I borrowed from him 
January 8 1760 

17*'^ I heard Mr Houston preach in Bedford from the 3d of Romans and 
the 28th Verse 

18"^ I went to Mr Lutweikeys and got a pair of wool Kards coast ^ a 
Dollar and fo £ of Tea and paid a Dollar and I owe 6 Copers of the Tea I 
borrowed the Dollar from my bror Sam" and Abagail Chamberlain came 
home along with me to spin at our house and I paid George Pearson 4-6-0 
and a pair of pumps he had of me a 7-10-0 paid him for the fortnight he 
workt with me this Spring all but 4"/ old Tenor 
19"^ I had my brors oldest oxen and I carted Dung 
22^1 I sent out for Andover and Haveril and Lodged at Mr Ingalls 
23'i I -went to Haverhill and got 2 bushel of salt from Richard Ayers at 
25"/ pr bushell and did not pay for it 

25"' I went to Amoskieg a fishing and fished untill the 2d day of June at 
Night and I got 72 shad and a small Salmon I borrowed 10 shad from 
James Maccurdy and I owe him for them I cleared oft' all my expenses at 
Russ being 18V and at John Halls being 2-2-0 old Ten"^ and I owe my 
expenses at Tlio" Halls yet 

JUNE 1st 

I fined old Mr Loggan 16/ for swearing one profane oath in Derryfield 

2'! I fined James Steele 40V for swearing 4 profane oaths in Derryfield 
all the shad I got this year was 75 and 10 I borrowed from James McCui-dy 
amounts to 85 

S*! I hurt the brush in the Little Meadow that Scot & MacManus Cleard 
for me last faull 

11* I finished setting uj) my part of the fence Between Deacon Moore 
and I 

12'!' Rhody made 2 shoes of my Iron and Set them and made a holeing 
ax into shape and Charged 2-5-0 

14"^ I heard Mr MacGregore preach in his own Meeting house from the 
24th of Mat & 12 Verse and I came and lodged at My bror Alex' Macniur- 
phys & Mr Houston was at Pelliam 

15"^ I got i'2 £ of Indigo from him & did not pay for it and EHzth Cham- 
berlin came to our house to spin 

IS"' I went to the River at Pattersons brook and Joynd -with Lieu' Goffe 
and Thompson and Sam" Patterson and we catched 3 Salmon we supposed 
weighed 40 £ 

19'^ was a small quantity of Rain and I went to Tho^ Halls to borrow 
his Fly nett 

20* I went to Litchfield and Qualified 12 men for Cap' Lovewell and 
had Col Goftes Colt 

2l6t jyjj. Houston was abroad to the south westward 

22*1 I went to Tho*' Halls and settled with him for my fishing Expenses 
and the 8-12-0 he Reed on my Acct from Cap' Martain for John Mash and 



96 MATTHEW patten's DrAIlY. 

27/ I pd him last faiiU aud Reed the ballaiice beiug 4-18-0 and borrowed 
his fly iiett aud taxed the bill of costs for Deacon Boies against Fergus 
Keunedy 

23^1 I got Deacou Walker aud William Baruetts Cauuoe aud fixed our 
net and Halls together 

26*'^ I went to Derryfield and run the Divisions of John Baruets Junrs 
Meadow above Cap* Perhams and Lodged at my bror Alex Maemurphys 

27tii I mil ^iie ling between my bror Alex Macmiu-phy and Sam^^ Boyd 
aud Boyd pd me 25V old Tenor for his part of the cost and Alexander Mac- 
murphy gave me near 4 bushell of Indian Meal and Sam'^ Paterson aud I 
catched 7 Salmon at one hall that weighed 97 ^^ £ and one we catched the 
night before that weighed 12 £ 

2C)th J -^veut lip Piscataquog river to fish along with Deacon Walker Will- 
iam Baruett and Samuel Patersou but got nothing 

JULY FIRST 

Samuel Patterson and I catched 5 Salmon he had 2 weighed 25 £ & I 
had one that weighed 9 £' 

2ii We sent one of the yesterdays catchiugs to Tho** Hall of 14 £ weight 
aud another to Deacou Walker and William Barnet of 9 £ and Jonas and 

1 went up the Near Meadow and shook out some hay and cocked it that 
James Miller mowed on Jos Thomas lott we have estimated what I must 
give him to Deacon Walker and we helped William Barnet to Rake 9 cocks 
that Miller had Mowed on his Right in said Meadow 

3'i I went up to Matthew Littles and swore the Evidences in Jean Mae- 
murphys case and spent the day on that busuess and Samuell Patterson 
and I catched 3 salmon that weighed 55 pound I had one that weighed 32 
aud he had 2 that weighed U^^ £ each I have had 23 £ more than him 
and Jennie Maciunish sent home a pair of stockeus she had knit for me 

4"> We catched 3 salmon that weighed 34i;j; Sauuiell Patterson had 11 £ 
the other 2 we designed to send to Tho^ Hall 

gtii ]y[j. Houston preached in Bedford from the 3'^ of James aud 13"' Verse 

Qth ^yg catched 2 salmon that weighed 18^4 aud I had them both 1 was 
masht in the nett on saterday night the other we catched on Monday 
Morning aud in the Evening we hauUed and catched 6 Salmon that 
weighed 85}^ we alowed Nathaniel Patterson one that weighed 24^^ aud I 
had 2 that weighed 301^4 and in the forenoon I went to Tho'' Halls being 
the day appointed for holding their first meeting after Incorporation and I 
carried 1^11 2 sahuou that weighed 23 £ and in the evening we We sett 
the nett and catched a Storgion that weighed 94 £ whole and was 6 feet & 

2 inches in Length and I had him 

7"' I brot it home and dressed it and fished in the afternoon aud catched 

3 at Pattersons brook and 3 at Cold brook and 2 at Scheeroos brook the 
whole weighed 75 £ Nathaniel got 21 £ Samuel Patterson got 26 J>^ £ and I 
got 271^ £ 

gth I "v^reut to Lo : Derry and Lodged at my mother in Laws 
cjth I got almost 5 gallon of Vinegar in bottle and a Barrel full from 
Lieut Duncan he gave me the Vinegar and I pd hiiu for the barrel aud 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 97 

came home in the afternoon and I got a sow pig from Mrs Patterson that 
weighed £ 31 and I am to give her one again of the same weight 

lO*'* Samuell and Nathaniel Patterson & I went up Merrymac to look for 
Salmon and Lodged at Capt Fowlers and John Bell Jnn'' got 2 bushell 
of rie 

11"' went as far as the mouth of Sowkook but got none and came home 
that night this day or yesterday Jonas got 3 pigs from Deacon Rob' Walker 
unpaid 

igtii "vVrit a Mortgage Deed from Eleazer Robbius to John Harvey uupd 

14"^ I let Joseph Houston have a bushell of rie which was what I owed 
h^ni for what he sawed for me last fall and spring 

17th I "v^ent along with James Mathies of Merrymac to Capt Minots and 
gave a Wart of aprisement to Capt Minot & Jas Cowan to apprise a horse 
he had pounded the day before and Swore them and Charged a Dollar 

18"' I began to plow in the field before the house 

19*^ Mr Houston was at Pelham 

20 21 & 22^1 I plowed in 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JULY 22d 1761' 

23'' I wont and began to mow in the Near Meadow in Mr Sigoonys Lott 
& I got 1 Quart and fo a pint of Rum from John Bell 

26"' I heard Mr Houston preach in Bedford from the 13"' Verse of the 3* 
Chapter of James 

27"' I finished stacking at the near meadow I got 22 cocks 

3P' Alex"^ Orr & Aaron Henery helped me to Reap Rie and I killed a 
Lamb that Weighed 40)^ £ 

AUGUST 1st 

Alex'' Orr & Aaron Henery helped me to Reap about 3 2 of the forenoon 
& it began to rain and beat us from it and I let Aaron have a Syth Sueath 
and in this day and yesterday I borrowed 2 fulls of glass bottle of Rum 
from my bror Samuel the bottle held above a quart 

2'! I heard Mr Houston preach in Bedford from the 13"' of Romans and 
lOth Verse 

4"' I finished reaping in the field by my Brors I had 14 stooks and 2 
sheaves in it 

5"' I began to mow in the Little Meadow & I borrowed a Quart of Rum 
from my bror and reed 3 £ old Tenor from Eleazer Rabins being the 
remainder of the price of stocking his Gun and 2V6'' old Tenor over 
towards some tow my wife let him have 

6"* I Carted home a stock of boards from Macallesters mill and 6 slabs 
and James Houston mend the heql of my syth and he charged 8V old 
Tenor 

7"' I took the acknowledgement of a Deed from John Holms to Tho** 
Shirley unpd 

8"' James Walker brot me a syth from Belerica he laid out the money 
for it 

10"' Tho*^ Shirley paid the acknowledgement of the deed taken on the 7"' 



98 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

and I Writ a Deed from James Peters to to John Mills and Tlio" and Will- 
iam McClure 

12*'i I began to mow in the Little Meadow and finished Mowing on the 

13"' I Idlled a Lamb that weighed 371-4 and James Voce helped me 
to Mow 

20"' finished mowing in the Little meadow 

2P' I carted home the first Load of hay from the Little meadow 

22'' was a rainy day and I planed at Jonathan Chamberlius Controverted 
land 

25tii I went to Lieu' Duncans and attested to the plan before Docter 
Thornton and brot home a barrel of Vinegar from said Duncan 

28"' I pd James Walker a Dollar which he pd for a syth for me on the 
8th Instant 

30"' Mr Houston preached in Derryfield 

3pt I finished Carting my hay from the Little meadovv I had 9 Jaggs for 
my oxen and mare being 94 Cocks and I went to Litchfield with Deacon 
Kendall to acknowledge a Deed from Tho^ Bixby who lay very sick and I 
had my bror Mare and I acknowledged two more for him one from David 
Whitemor and one from Harvell and one from Kendall to Harvey 

SEPTEMBER 

l^t came home and got the remainder of our checquored cloath from 
Widow Shinly being 28 yds in the whole I pd her for weaveing 6/ pr yd 
came to 8-8-0 old Tenor in the afternoon I began to mow at home 

2'! I went and run Lines for James Voce which paid him for mowing 
for me on the 13"' of August last and I went just before night to Guils 
Vendue 

7th I -^^rrit a deed from Guil to Little of his place sold the 2*^ Instant 
unpaid and a Deed from Rob' Gilmor to his son Rob' of a lot in Goffts 
town and acQuitance from Rob' to his fathers Estate and acknowledged it 
Gillmor owes for the first Deed and the last acknowledgement being 30/ 
old Tenor and a Deed from Capt Perham to Charles Emerson and Emerson 
owes the acknowledgement being 16/0 : T : the Deed I gave to Capt Perham 

9"' I killed a lamb that weighed 46 £ 

10"' I got 2 £ of shugar from James Walker and paid 28V old Tenor for 
it and I got a gallon of Rum from Mattli'^' Little on Credet and }4 £ of Tea 
from Gilhnor on Credet and a peck of peas from Clogstou on Credit 

11"' proved a rainy day and we had some Wool broke by some of the 
Girls in the neighboiu'hood 

13"! Mr Triie preached in Bedford in the forenoon from the 14"' of John 
and 22'' Verse and in the afternoon from the 15"' of the Acts and 9"' Verse 

17"' I finished carting in my hay at hOme and had 66 cocks this year at 
home and I borrowed 2 bushell of rie from my bror Sam" 

18"' I went to Capt Chamberlins mill and got the 2 bushell of rie I bor- 
rowed from my bror Samuel ground and I had the Toal 

20"' I went to London : derry and heard Mr Maegregore in the forenoon 
Lecture on the 1"' Chapter of John from the 6"' Verse to the 14"' verse and 



MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIAEY. 99 

heard Mr Kinkeaii in the afternoon preach from 12*'* verse of the 116 
Psalm and came home that Evening 

21^' I workt at the Little meadow 

22^ I Joynted My Brors Sydar press and pulled some hemp for seed at 
Clogstons and I Idlled a pig that weighed ahnost £ 9 and writ a deed from 
Robert Davidson to John Taggart and took the acknowledgement of it and 
of a deed from Taggart to him and charged £ 3 old Tenor and reed the 
money 

35"* I got a barrel of cydar from my brother Sam'' 

26"' Andi-ew Rhody made 3 hind feet shoes and steeled the toes of the 
fore shoes and set them on my Mare and charged 3-13-0 and a Catch for 
my bench and charged 8V 

21^^ I heard Mr Payson preach in Merrymac in the forenoon from the 
33*1 of Matth and 29"* Verse and in the afternoon from the 7"* of first 
Samuell and S"^ verse 

28"* I got 3^^ of Tea from Rob' Gillmor on Credit and 1£ of shugar from 
James Walker and paid it and Writ an Deed from George Cuningham to 
James Mathies and one frm Mathies to Cuningham and Charged 4 £ and 
reed the money 

29"* I butchered a Ewe weighed 47 £ 

SO*^"* I began to set up of the Division fence between Benj** Smith and I 
at the Little meadow and my wife got a bushell of rie ground at Cap^ 
Chamberlins mill 

OCTOBER FIRST 

I carried Jean Macmurphy to London : Derry as far as William Bettys 

3'' I went in the morning to James Houston and got a shoe on my Mares 
Lame foot and I went to Hails town and Veiwed a lott of Col Atkinsons 
for Mr Emerson and returned home in the night it rained as I came home 
so much that it wet me through my great and straight coat and Jacoat 

5"* Jonathan Cliamberlin brot me twelve bushells of salt from Haverhill 
of Lieut Oliver Peabodys he charged 15 £ old Tenor for Carting it to Goffes 
ferry and lOV Mass old Tenor for the Hoggshead to put it in I had my 
brors 4 oxen and got it home the salt came without an order and I gave 
Chamberlin from under my hand to pay mr Peabody for the salt 

6"* I workt at the Little meadow and settled the Differance between 
Benj** Smith and I 

7"* I went to Goffes mill and got a bushell of rie ground and pd Madni 
Goffe 16"/ for my ferriage and a jill of Rum I had when I brot over my 
salt and pd Mrs Smith 5V that she overpaid me when she had }4 ^ bushell 
of salt from me on the 5th Instant and I got 4 barrels of Cyder from my 
bror Samuel 

8"* I had my brors Samuels young oxen and I carted 655 feet of boards 
to my place between and New Boston I went away the siui about an hoiu- 
high and got home between 6 and 8 a Clock 

9"* I got 3 barrels of Cyder from my bror Samuell one of them was 
Clear the other Water Cyder 

10"* I finished makeing the Division fence between Benj" Smith and I 
and sowed about }4 the lott no 60 in the Little meadow 

L.cf:. 



100 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

12^'^ I gave William Nutt a prize wart for a 2 year old Heifer he pouuded 
this morning and A\Tit 5 advertisements for her and reed £ 625 old Tenor 
and £ 30 of the Intrest and there remains £ 22 yet for which he gave 
a note on Demand and I pd James Lyon £ 5 for 2 piggs I had of him last 
spring and 25/ towards the Oloath he is weaving for us and paid a Note 
of £ 21 which I borrowed the 6th of March 1759 and its Intrest Amounting 
in the wole to £ 28-10-0 

IS**^ I got a bushell of rie ground at Cap' Chainberlins mill and I let 
John Clogston have a bushell of salt by his Daughter Betty and went in 
the aternoon to James Caldwells and Divided his land in Equal halves 
and paid him off for £ T'^o of wool that my wife got from him last summer 
40/ I gave him before he went to Rhod Island and £ 3 he alowed me for 
my service and 6-5-0 I pd him this day in cash which pid off the wooll 
and John Bell Jtiur got a bushell of salt 

14"> I gave Lieut Moor a prize wart for a steer he pounded the 12th 
Instant and I went with Sam^i Patterson and run the Lines round his 
Laud and paid him for what salmon I had more than him last year while 
we were partners 

15"^ was the Fast preparatory for the Sacrement in Bedford 

16*'^ I pd Matthew Little what I owed him being 10-2-4 all but 10 pence 
and I got X o^ ^ pound of Tea of Mrs Gillmore unpd and I swore the 
prisers of the steer Lieut Moor pounded on the 12th Instant and taxed the 
bill of Costs and Sent 1-5-0 by James Houston to William Blair of New 
Boston for a Butter tubb I had of him last Winter the price was 1-4-0 and 
finished Somng the Grass seed on the Lott in the Little meadow 

17th I got 2 bushell of rie ground at Cap* Ohamberlins mill and I had 
the Toal 

IS*'^ I went to Mr Macgregores Meeting and heard him preach but did 
not hear the text and heard Mr Sherburn in the Evening from 

19* I set oiit for Portsmouth and arived there in the Evening in 
Company with Rob' MacMurphy 

24"* I arived home again while I was at Portsmouth I obtained a right 
of Land in Stonington for which I pd 25 £ old Tenor 

26"^ Settled Accts with Gauin Riddel and I owed him £ 8 old Tenor and 
lie owed me 5 pound weight of shingle nails 

27''* I carried 4 bushell rie to Goffes mill and got 2 of it gTound and 
I had the toal for pay and Left the other 2 there 

28'!^ Gauin Riddell got a Irashel of Salt from me a £ 6 and I went to 
Londonderry fair 

29'^^ I acknowledged 2 deeds one for Rob' MacClure & the other for 
Eben'' Costou unpd and I reed £ 15 from John Barnet Junr for surveying 
a peice of Meadow on Chohas and Deeds of the same and I reed £ 9 from 
Mr Stephen Emerson of Hampsted for Veiwing a lot of Col Atkinsons 
where hails towns old mills stood on the 2d Instant 

30"> I had my bridle and the of stirrups off my saddle Stole in the Fair 
and some Starch cut off my saddle baggs and I bargained for an Ox from 
Rob' MacMurphy for 120 £ 

3P' I came home again 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 101 

NOVEMBER 2cl 

I attended att session in Bedford as an Evidence in Richard MacAlles- 
ters and James Littles case and I reed 2-10-0 old Tenor from John Bell 
Jun'^ and there fell a snow which was the first this year 

3'i I helped my Bror to butcher a Cow and I sold 2 rights and % in the 
Common in Goffes town to Jonathan Martaiu for his Wages as a Chain- 
man in the year 1750 a planing Conneticutt and great shiigar rivers 
pr the Governors order 

4th I veudned James Houstons place for him it went off at 1120 pound 
old Tenor to Joseph Scobey and his % right in the Sceeu at Litchfield to 
Joseph Brown for 60^ O : T : and his Grindstone Crank and frame to 
Rob* Morrial for 18 £ & I got a sermon of Mr Ralp Erskine from Hugh 
Mclnuish and did not pay for it and I pd Rob' Walker 4 £ old Tenor for 
2 piggs I had of him this Slimmer 

6'*^ I was taken unwell and continued so until the 9th 

9"^ Margaret Wallace came to our house to spin for a week and I went 
and 2 bushell of rie ground at Goftes mills and I had the toal and I paid 
20 Shillings old Tenor for it and the toal of 2 bushell I had ground there 
the 17th of last month 

10* the night before and this morning fell a little snow and some rain 
and I got a bushell of corn from Clogston 

11"^ I and Jonas went and got 9 bushell of Potatoes from Tho'' Boies 
there was 2^2 of the New Sort and I gave him 12-10-0 old Tenor toward 
them and I Writ a Deed for James Linn to Nathaniel Robinson to be 
toward Weaveing the price 20/ 

12*'^ I set out about sunset foi Dunstable & Lodged at William Pattens 

13"^ I went to Dunstable and got \% bushel of Corn frm John Clogston 
and gave him 12-10-0 old Tenor and came and lodged at James Mathies 

14th I gQ^ tiie Bushel and half ground at Cap' Chamberlins and I had 
the toal and came home 

15"> I went to Mr Macgregores meeting in Londonderry and heard him 
Lecture in the forenoon from the beginning of the 3d Chap of St John 
and preach in the afternoon from 

16"^ I got a new shoe for my mares fore foot from John Liveingston and 
pd him 25/ for it and I got a new bridle from William Aeyers and pd him 
5-10-0 for it and I went and Lodged at Major Tolfords 

17th I got a side of sole Lether from Mr John Roby that he Tanned for 
me the Tanning came to 14-3-0 and I pd him 15-12-6 and got no change 
and I got an ox from Rob"- Macmurphy at 120 £ and I pd him 31-5-0 and 
gave him a note on Doctor Mooers of 22 £ and got a pound of snuff from 
Rob' Macneill and pd 2-8-0 for it and came home in the Evening 

20"' Richard MacAllester and my bror helped me to butcher the Ox 
I had of my brother in Law he weighed 505 pound of beaf and 85 of a 
hide and 19 £ of Tallow and I drawed an acct for Benj" Stevens and 
swore him to it he promised to send me a bushell of Turnips to Lieut 
Moors 

2let I Writ and acknowledged a power of attorney for Tho" Mathies 



102 



MATTHEW PATTEN S DIAEY. 



charged 30/ tinprl aud another for Beuj Stevens he brought me y^ a 
bushell of turnips aud there remains of the acct and power due to me 
45/ old Tenor unpd 

23'! I got 2% bushell of Potatoes from Deacon William Moors Wife and 
pd aud I Vendued Garret Rowans place of New Boston it was struck off 
to John Bell Junr for 970 pound 

25t'i I went to Deacon William Moors and paid his Wife 3 £ old Tenor 
for a bushell and half of the Potatoes and left 2-5-0 with his Wife for him 
for another bushel and Swore Jas Underwood and William Read to the 
apprisement of Tlio** Bixbys Estate and reed 1-5-0 and the night following 
I ^vrit 2 deeds one from Samuel Richards to Ebenezar Hacket to Richards 
I reed 3-2-6 from Richards for his part and Hacketsis yet due 

26"^ I gave William Alld a Notification to Cap' James Rodgers to hear 
some affidavits taken the 27th 

27"' I went to David Burns and Divided his place and writ a Deed from 
him to his son aud Acknowledged it and Acknowledged a deed from his 
son to him and Charged him a dollar and came to William Allds and ^^Tit 
5 Depositions for him in his Case mth Major Rodgers and I tarried all 
night at his house and reed 3-2-6 for my pains 

28"' I run Lines for Joseph Scobey my charge is 5 pounds it is unpaid 

30"' I run lines for Jas Patterson about ^o t^ie day and I reed an order 
from Leonard Harriman on John Goffe for 6 £ old Tenor on Obidiah 
Haws acet and Hannah Davis came to oiu* house to spinn 

DECEMBER 

P* there fell a snow about 5 or 6 inches Deep and I got a bushell of 
Corn from Sam^ Patterson for recording his Deed from James Walker to 
him and I got it Ground and a bushel of Rie at Coll Goffes mill 

3*1 was the General Thanksgiveing and in the evening I got lOi.j yds of 
Worsted and Wool Cloath that James Lyon Wove for us at 10/ pr yd the 
peice of Cloath he wove for us this fall was 15/ pr yd Weaveing 

4"^ I sett out for Mr Rob' Calfs with the 2 peices of Cloath that Lyon 
wove for us the first peice measured ahnost 16 yds pr Calfs Measure to be 
Dressed and Delivered it this Evening and went and Lodged at John 
Pattens 

5*'' I came home again 

7*^ I spent the day a following a Bears tract and I got a pound of Butter 
from Hugh Riddels wife a 14/ not paid and I took off 12 sticks of slit 
work and 2 iilank for Cart fellows that Joseph Houston sawed for me he 
spoiled 4 plank and 1 logg for slit work that I did not take and I drawed 
a eompt and wart for Lydia Mxu'doiigh against Charles Black 

S''^ was the tryal between Lydia & Charles he was adjudged to pay 
coasts and be bound to his Good beheavour 

10* I went to Merrymac and carried a bushel of Rie with me and I got 
3 bushell of Corn from James Mathies unpd aud I got H £ of tea & % £ 
of Powder & i^ £ of Jenger from Mrs Lutwickie and pd her for them and 
I pd her ^o ^ Crown Silver money I owed since the time I got a pair of 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 103 

Wool Cards and I got the grain Ground at Capt Chamberlins and I had 
the Toal 

11"' I writ a Deed from James Caldwell to his son James 

16"^ James Houston set 4 shoes on my Mare and Steeled two of them at 
heels and toes and charged 40/ old Tenor 

19"i I borrowed a bushel of Indian Corn from Sam^i Patterson and 
Hannah Davis went home who had been here near 4 weeks in all this fall 
we pd her off before she went away she was at 45/ old Tenor pr week 

31st J went to James Mathies and I got 2 biishell of Indian Corn from 
him and I got it Ground at Col Goffes Mill 

22'^i I gave William AUd a Writ against Andrew Bixby to be tryed the 
4th of January Next 

2ii^ I Cutt 2 Loggs and Carried them to Lieut Goffes saw Mill 

38'" I got 2}i bushell of my own Rie ground at Col Goffes Mill 

29"' I went to Eben'' Hackets to Measure some Laud for him that he 
sold to Ensign Richards and Mr Eaton and tarried at Joseph Kennedys 
all night 

89* I got 2 bushell of turnips from Joseph Kennedy tht he gave me and 
1 }.2 bushell from Daniel McKinuey for his Heifers going with my Cattle in 
my field last fall and came home 

31*' Gave John Blair of new Boston a Writ against Tho** Willson of 
New Boston for Trespass and 3 Summons Charged 6 £ unpd 

JANUARY FIRST 1762 

settled with Mr Ingales and took a note for 20 and i.< of a Dollar with 
Intrest till paid I reed 13 bushell of Salt out of it 1 bushell of it I had from 
Mr Ingales him self at my house price 40/ Mass O : T : and 12 bushel of 
Mr Peabodys but has not had an Acct from him whether he will alow it 

2'' I got 6 Jo bushell of Corn from Sam'^ Patterson by the way of borrow- 
ing and got it ground at Col Goffes Mill and got }4 ^ bushell of Toal from 
Lieut Smith and gave him 8 £ old Tenor and got no change 

8<i Mr Houston was Way from home 

4* I carried some Woolen yarn to William Nutt to be Wove 

9"' I got 2 bushell of Indian corn from Sam'i Patterson 

12"' I went to Mr Calfs and got 8 yds of Dressed Cloath and he charged 
6/* per yd old Tenor and I pd him an 15/ over towards a peice he is a 
dressing for my own wear and came and Lodged at my bro in Laws 

13"' William Nutt brot home 6)2 yds of cloath that he made of the yarn 

1 carried to him the 4th Instant and I came home again 

14"' Jas Houston made rings and staples for to draw a Slea with and 2 
Grips and charged 20V old tenor 

17th ]y[j. 'Wilkins preached in Bedford Meeting house from the 19"' verse 
of the T'h Chapter of St Johns Gospel 

19"' I went to Mr Lutw^^ckes and got 13-10-6 worth from him on Credit 
and I paid Joseph Farmer 3 £ old Tenor being what I owed him toward 

2 bushell of Corn I had from him last year the rest was pd in ANi-itings & 
2 acknowledgements 

20"' I bvitchered 3 spring pigs 



104 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

21''' I went to my new place 

22^^ I erected a Sliede to put hay iu aud weut to Deacon Cochraus and 
Lodged all night and my wife got 4 bushell of Rie from John Clogston 

23*1 I got a tub of And part of a pail full of butter from James Hunter 
and paid his wife 5 peistereens and 14 £ in paper money old Tenr and 
came home iu the Evening What butter was in the pail weighed 11 32 £ 
the pail weighed 0% & the Tub and butter Weighed 43 £ the Tub 
weighed 1% £ The butter weighed 35 14 £ the whole butter weighed 46% 
£ amounting in the whole at 4V pr £ Mass old -Tenor comes to 24 £ 18*/ 
8'* New Hanip'' old Tenor & there is yet due to Hunter for the Butter 
4-18-8 old Tenor 

25"^ I got the 4 bushell of Rie that my wife got from Clogston last week 
ground and I writ a Deed from Col : Goffe to Anthony Emery and a 
Mortge from him to Goffe again and five Notes and Charged Emery £5 
but he did not pay Col : pd 20V 

26 Benj" Smith paid me for the Damage he did me last summer iu my 
Meadow and I Let him have my oxen to day to help pay what help I had 
of his oxen last Winter drawing Fenceing Stuff to my Meadow and James 
Kennedy set a shoe on my Mares Lame foot for which I paid him 6V old 
Tenor 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 26, 1762 

27"^ I went to Litchfield and got 2 bushell of Rie from Widow Bixby 
and pd her 10 £ for it and pd her 4 £ for James Underwood being of the 
money I reed from Hugh Gilles for him there remains due to him of what 
I reed 6V old Tenor and I came by Col Goffes and got the 2 bushell of Rie 
Ground into Meal when I was at mill on the 25th Instant I had the Toal 
of 4 bushell that I had then Ground which pd the Change 3 £ I pd Lieut 
Smith on the 2d Instant and 5'^ ' over & I pd him 4^' of it this day 

28"' I paid Robert Smith 24V old Tenor and 16V hy 4 Squares of sashes 
being what I owed him for Shoemaker work 

29t»' I Cutt wood 

30"' I attended a town meeting It was a Cold Windy day and Lucey 
Barron went home who had been here almost 5 weeks she reed }o £ of 
whalebone a 3-10-0 and a pound of butter IIV and a Quart of Molasses a 
16V and for what work she has done for us I owe her 6 £ old Tenor yet 

31st ]\j;p Houston was iu Derry field 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I Qualified Lieiit John Moor a Collector of town and Ministers Rates 

2'^ I \vrit a deed from Lieut Little to John McKinney 

3d 4th & 5th I Hailed 1008 feet of Boards to the Crotch at New Boston 
and McDoles path and I brot home 6 Rail Cu.tts 

6"^ I was called to act as a justice in the Case of Bastardy between Mar- 
garet Dayel Compt and John Clogston Respt They agreed the affair My 
Charge was 12 £ old Tenor I took his word for the Money & I lent him 12 
£ in Chash 

8"" I mended my Slea that Anthony Emery Broke when he had it at 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 105 

Andover last week my Charge is 40V a,ud I took John Thoinass Deposition 
concerning- Lieut moors son Daniel & John Jacobs and was on their settle- 
ment until two or three a Clock in the morning 

9*'> I got home 3 Rail Cutts and I got Ifo J(^ of Checkquered Linnen 
cloath from Hannah Baruet and pd her for it being 3:8:0 old Tenor 

12"^ I borrowed 6 Dollars from John MacAllester and gave him a note 
on Demand mth Intrest untill paid 

13^'^ I pd my Rates to the town and Minister by a 20 pound order to 
Lieut Moor and reed the change being 3 : 16 : 

15"^ I went to Litchfield and had Mr. Clogston horse and I got 2 busliell 
of Rie and one half bushell of barley from him and carried the Rie to 
Golfes mill and Lodged at Quigs 

16"' Mrs Gibson gave me half a bushell of Winter "Wheat and I came 
home and brought the Wheat to Goffes mill and left it and brot the Rie 
Meal home and Drawed 2 Captions for Robert Walker of Merrymac unpd 
and gave Tho^ Murdough a Summons for 2 Evidences and a Notification 
to James Mathies to hear some afiidavits taken at James Walkers on next 
Monday & got }-^ a pound of tea of Madame Lutwychie on Credit 

17"' I drawed 2 Writs and Summonses for Robert Walker on the accts 
he gave me yesterday to be tried on the 6th of next march and Drawed a 
Compt for Lieut Moor against John Jacobs Directed to Col Goffe 

18"' I assisted the Selectmen on Examining James Little on his Consta- 
bleship and Matthew Little on his Collectsorhip charged 4 £ unpd 

19"* I attended as an Evidence in Lieut Moors case 'with John Jacobs 

20"^ I di-awed 2 Writs one for Tho^ Russ against Tho" Campbell Junior 
of London : derry and one for Captain Parker against George Burroughs 
of London : derry to be Tried the 8th of next March and Sleded home 
6 Rail Cutts from the top of the hill above Linns old place and in the 
Evening I writ a letter for ]Mrs Clogston to her Bror John and another to 
Andi-ew Walker for Deacon Cochrane and I sent 14V old Tenor to Mrs 
Riddel by her son William for a pound of butter I had off her last faiill 

On the 15th John MacLaughlin of New Boston brot me a % bushell of 
Barley unpd 

22 I attended at James Walkers and took 4 Depositions for Tho^ Mur- 
dough against James Mathies to improve at next Inferiour Court And I 
settled with Tlio** Campbell for the Writ I Drawed against him for Tho* 
Russ and took his Note for my fee being £ 6 on Demand and took a Note 
for William Carr for his fee in his own Name being 6 £ 

23<i I cutt wood and Jonas Sleded 

24"^ I attended in the afternoon at Col Golfes in Lieut John Moors case 
with John Jacobs his case was Quashed by reason that Moor had no 
Addition 

26"' I went to Merrymac on James Mathies and Murdoughs Case and 
tarried all night at Widow Murdoiighs 

2T'h was on the same bussuess and reed £6 old Ten'r from Thomas 
Murdough toward my pay 



106 



MATTHEW PATTEN S DIARY, 



MARCH 4th 



I borrowed a bushell of Com from John Mat'Laii,y:liliu Junior and John 
Dinsmore came to make slioes at my house 

5"' I had John MacLaughhn Jun" horse and sent Jonas to Capt Cham- 
berhns mill and borrowed 2 bushells of Rie from my bror Sam" and he 
got it and the bushell I had from John MacLaughlin ground into Meal 
and I had not the Toal as meal and I attended a Meeting of the town of 
Amlierst and Bedford at Bedford meeting house to chiise a Representitive 
I was chose Moderator by a unanimous choice and Col Goffe was chose 
Representitive by 46 votes and Capt Barron had 13 

()••' I had a Court at James Walkers Rob* Walker of Merrymac was 
plant and Tho" Walker of London : derry was deft the deft sent Capt 
Humphry to appear for him biit he was called John Humphry but had no 
addition I judged it not Good for he was Gent and the Deft was Defaulted 

8"' I settled my accts of Goffes town services all but 4}£ days surveying 
in ye year 1753 when Col Blanchard had a lott laid out and Jonathan 
Martains right was laid out my bill exclusive of them 4)^ days was 
3085 £ out of which I had reed 110 £ The balance due to me was 2585 £ for 
which I reed an order from the commitee on the Treasurer 

n"i I had James Walkers mare 'and set out in company with him and 
James Karr for Hampstead and Lodged at Stephen Nights my expenses 
was 3-15-0 

10"' I came to Major Tolfords and went to Mr John Robys and got a 
side of upper Leather he tanned and Curled the Hide and he took the half 
I got 2 skins that he chtirged 3-17-0 O : T : for the 2 skins and I settled 
for them and a hide of upper Leather I had from him Last Novbr of 
11-15-0 price and pd him 14-2-6 and 1-9-6 I pd him for this when I got 
it made 15-12-0 being the whole of what I owed him 

11"' I was at Major Tolfords all day and we Viz the Heirs of My father 
in Law sold our Right in Beningtowu to James Breakinridge for 80 
Dollars and Samson Moor gave his note for the money I lodged at my 
Mother in laws and Jean Tolf(^rd gave us 2 Chei'S and some other things 

12"i I came home again 

14*'' Mr Houston was in Merrymac 

15"' John Dinsmoor finished makeing & mending shoes he made a pair 
for me and 2 pair for my wife and one pah- for my mother and a pan* for 
David mine was 40V aiid ye womens was 36V pr pan- Davids was 15V and 
the mending was 3 £ I pd him 6-5-0 and 2-10-0 by sole leather for a pah- 
of shoes and I owe him 2-8-0 yet 

16"' I had Matthew Littles horse and James Patterson and his horse 
and we went to the Near meadow and we got about ^4 a Mile and broke 
one side of the slea down and was obliged to leave our Load all but 4 
bundles We bound iip and carried home on the horses backs and I strained 
my right Knee so that I was in much pain with it and was not able to 
make any help to Move with it my wife anointed it with some ointment 
my mother made and some Oyl of turpintiue and it got easyer by 
morning 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 107 

IT"' I workt at niakeiiig of a slea but was not very well all day and I 
borrowed John MacLaughliiis horse and my wife went to her bror 
Alexanders to see his son John who was Very 111 there was no life 
Expected for him 

IS"' finislied niakeing my slea and my "Wife came home 

19"' I tackled my oxen single like horses and went and brot home the 
hay that I left on the broken slea on the 16th 

20"^ I drove out to the near Meadow and brot home the remainder of 
the Stack bottom that W"' Barnett and I had together 

2P' was a Snowy Day throughout 

22'' James Houston made me 4 steples 2 rings and 2 links for tackMng 
my Oxen single of his Iron and charged me 3 £ old Tenor 

23'' I made 2 single yolks for my oxen and fitted them for Drawing like 
Horses & I gave John Davis 20V and he brot me more than i., a bushell 
of turnips 

24"' I* drove to the near meadow and brot home a Jag of hay in the 
Evening it snowed about 2 or 3 inches deep 

25"' I borrowed 2 Dollars and 2 pistereens from John Bell Junr and Set 
out for Haverhill and Went to John Moors in Cannada and turned and 
went no farther and I reed a Dollar from Eben Hacket 

2G"' I put new slats in my Slea and I sent John Bell Jun'' 2 Dollars and 
his 2 pistereens to him by his bror Jas 

27"' I brot home another Jag of hay and Capt Blair brot us a parel of 
Potatoes 

29"^ I borrowed 1% bushell of Indian corn from Gan Riddell and had 
his mare to take it to mill but did not get it Ground for Col Goffes mill 
Dam was broke 

30"' I sent Jonas to Capt Chamberlin with the 1% bushell of Corn that 
I had yesterday from Gan Riddell with his mare and I had the toal and 
I got by Jonas ig £ of tea and ^o £ of shugar from Mr Lut^\'ycke on 
Credit 

3P' I went to Near meadow and got a Jag of hay and attended the 
annual Meeting and was chose Clerk and surveyor of Lumber and 
Commissioner for assessment 

APRIL 2d 

I went to the Near meadow and brot a jag of Hay as far as William 
Barnets it proved a Very stormy day of Rain and Snow by turns 

3'' Jonas went and brot the Jag of hay home that I left yesterday at 
William Barnets 
4"' I went to London derry and hear Mr MacGregore preach 
5"' I had Rob* Macmurphys Mare and went to Haverhill and Signed 
a Bond to the Massachusetts Treasurer to the performance of the Duty 
on a tract of Land below Penobscutt River in which I am a Grantee and 
Lodged at Mr James Duncans 
6"' Came to London : derry and Lodged at Lieut Duncans 
7"' I came home and in my waj' I bot a pound of Brimstone at Mert 
W'" Duncans and pd 16/ old Tenor for it 



108 MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIARY. 

8^^ I spent the day in takeiug the Invoice on the River range which I 
eompleated Except Capt Barron Clogston and Matthew Little 

9'h oiu- March meeting was held by adjonxnment and I was chose one of 
a Comniitee to bnild the Pulpit Avith John Wallace and Hngh Riddell and 
was Qualified by Col Goffe as Surveyor of Lumber 

10"' I borrowed 2 bushell of Indian Corn from Lieut Moor and had 
Gilniors horse and Jonas Carried it to Col Goffes Mill and got it Ground 
and I spent about Kj a day takeing and Casting iip the Invoice 

13'h I di-awed a Compt and Wart for Caleb Jones against Rachel Hutch- 
inson Wife to Capt Hutchinson there was 10 supeneas the Cost 9-6-8 old 
Tenor not pd 

IS"" I spent the afternoon in takeing the Invoice from William Holms 
along to Voces and round as far as Deacon Walkers 

14"' I spent the whole of the day a takeing the Invoice from Gan 
Riddells by Morrials Jos Tho** MacClearys and the whole of the south end 
of the town up as far as MacDuffeys ending at James Mathies 

16'h I split pine wood at the House 

20"^ I borrowed a bushell of Indian corn from Will'" Barnet and had his 
Mare to Goffes mill -with it and I went out to my new place and fenced 
up my hay and raked the ground round my HaA^il and I took William 
Holms and Tho^ Boies Invoice 

2pt Jonas got William Thompsons horse and took 2 bushell of Rie to 
Goffes mill that I borrowed from my bror SamiTell and went to James 
Walkers and vn:it a Deed from Rob' Mathies to James Karr and charged 
40/ & he paid the money and 40/ towards recording his Deed from me 
to him 

22'' I went to the Raising of Lieut Moors baru and Yendued James Ken- 
nedy place in the Evening 

23<' I AVTit a Deed from James Kennedy to John Goffe of his place at 
300 £ old Tenor Goffe owes me 20/ O: T: 

25"' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

28"* was the Provincial Fast 

29"' I went to make a canuoe for James Patterson but Col Goffe sent a 
line to my by John Seconib to go to his house to ^vl■it a deed from Widow 
Rand to him which I did and Mrs Rand pd me 20/ 

80"' I made 2 oars and 2 padles for Mr Molton & Mr Johnson and John- 
son pd me 3-2-6 for them and I went in the afternoon and I pitched John 
Goli'es Cannoe for James Patterson to take down the River and I filled a 
writ for Samuell Patten against Robert Gillmor of Merrymac 

MAY FIRST 

I filled another %\Tir for Samuell Patten against Rob' Gillmor and one for 
him against Ensign Usher and one against Moses Gile 

2'i IVIi- Houston was absent from Bedford 

3'' I got James Lyons Mare and 3 Dollars from my bror Samuell and Set 
out for Haverhill and lodged at James Willsons 

4"' I DeUvered a Cowhide and 2 calf skins to John Robvsonat his house 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 109 

in Chester aucl went to Haverhill and got 4 bushell of Indian corn and pd 
6-12-0 Mass old Tenor for it and came to my Mother in laws 

5*'! Rob' MacMurphy ground it and took no Toal and John Livingstone 
set a shoe and I pd him 6/ for it and I came home and I had my near Ox 
miied in the upper end of my meadow he could not stand when he was 
got out 

6^^ I spent the day in working with the ox and my off ox mired in 
Chandlers field and lay in all night and I got a Quart of rum from Matthew 
Little on Credit 

7"' we found the off ox and got him drawed out of the mire by Samuell 
Patten Samuell and Nathaniel Patterson and he traviled up to my brors 
barn but could not stand afterward and my bror yocked his oxen and 
drawed home my near ox who could not stand and I got }4 a peck of small 
Ears of Corn from William Barnett and a little armful of hay from Matth* 
Little to give them and I went home -with Tho" Halls fly net and I pd 
Samuell Patterson a bushell of meal weighing £ 55 ^ 2 

8"^ I found that my off ox ^ad put his off hip out of Joynt and I got him 
haulled home by my brors oxen to my barn and my bror and his Wife and 
Mr Sullivan helped me to trist them up in the Barn so as to stand on their 
feet and I sent Jonas to Deacon Gillmors and got 3 bundles of Stalks and 
I went to Mr MacDuffees and got about 28 £ of hay but he would not 
Weigh it but I did after I came home 

10"^ I was at Col Goffes at Where was to be several Courts for Debt biit 
they agreed 

11th J gQ^, a hundred of hay from Matthew MacDuffee he would not make 
a Charge of it and I Drawed out Tho** Smiths acct and sent it to him by 
Tho'' Kennedy and the Deed he lodged with me of his place to his Sons for 
which he sent a writeu order and Kennedy signed a receipt 

12'h I filled a Court Writ for Capt Martain against Parish Richardson on 
a note of 35 £ old Tenor not pd 

13"^ I filled a Writ for Hugh Miller against William Rogers and Arthur 
Archibald pr Desire of Capt Abbott and he pd me 6-5-0 there was two 
summons 

14"' We planted some potatoes in the garden Beans and some Turky 
wheat we have 117 hills of the new sort of potatoes in the Garden and I 
went to Naniskeeg and got in at the setting place for % a Share and Mrs 
Hall gave me abowt the third of a Salmon that woiild Weigh I supix)se 14 £ 
and I came to the Seen at Piscataquog and I bot 3 shad for 9V from them 

15"* I got 10 Quarts of seed Corn from James Walker he would not take 
anything for it 

17"* I pd Jos Bell 5-1-0 toward what Shoes he made for me last Winter 
and Jonas Went and fished at the setting place and got 5 shad and I went 
to the falls and Tho** Karr gave me 5 

18"* I went to the Falls and tarried there untill the 22'^ at night and I 
sent home 343 shad and I sold 44 at 3V apeice 

23*^ my off ox died who put out his other Hip about the middle of last 
week he was not able to use his limbs 

24"* I skinned my ox whose hide Weighed £ an 1 the remainder of the 



110 MATTHEW 1'ATTEN'S DIARY. 

clay I spent in planing at London derrys proprs and Jonathan Chamber- 
lins Controverted Land 

25"! I finished the plan and went in the afternoon to Col Goffes and 
attested it and went to Anioskeeg in the Evening 

3(5"^ Deacon Robert Walker and I fished together and Catched 230 Shad 
he wanted none of them and I sent to Jonas and he came and took home 
120 of them with the old Mare on Samnell Pattersons Trucks 

27"^ Jonas was late in coming and I let John Thomas have 30 Shad and 
Capt Minot and David Burns have 80 Capt Miuot paying all but 4/ old 
Tenor and David Burns All but 14/8 old Tenor and I came home and got 
Gauin Riddells mare and a Johanna of 8 Dollars and set out for Haverhill 
and lodged at my mother in Laws 

28"^ I got 12 bushell of corn from Mrs Duncan and paid her the Johanna 
I borrowed from her bror and a Dollar and 3/ of my own I left 6 Bushell 
there and 4 I brot and 2 that Deacon William Moor brot for which I am to 
bring him 2 again and came and Lodged at John Moors in Cannada 

29t'i I gQ^, i^ ground at Col Goffes mill and I had the Toal of 4 busliell for 
which I pd 24/ and I pd Samuell Moor % a bushell of Corn that Jonathan 
Chamberlin borrowed for me on the 24th Instant 

31^*' I pd Samuell Patterson a bushell of Meal and I went to Anioskeeg 
biit Got only 1 shad and I paid Lieut Hall 2DV he lent me one morning to 
get a Gallon of Cydar from Mr Russ and Mr Houston brot a letter signed 
by himself to have me come on Thursday next to confer concerning the 
reasons of my absenting from communion 

JUNE FIRST 

I Writ him an answer 

2'' I went to Amoskeig falls and got 15 Shad 

3'i I got 49 shad 

4"i I got 60 shad and 2 salmon one I throwed into the company the other 
Robert Macmurphy had & I pd Mr Russ my fishing expenses and James 
Duncan came to see me concerning my going to the Eastward to survey 

5"> I got 40 shad and I paid Tho** Hall my fishing Expenses I got home 
this week 49 shad and 2 halves of Salmon the rest of the shad I sold and I 
sold 22 Shad to James Aiken of Chester a 2"/ apeice and he would not 
pay me 

8"i I had Hugh Riddells horse and set out for Haverhill and Lodged at 
my Mother in Laws 

9*'^ I Delivered my ox hide to John Roby it weighed 45 £ and I went to 
Haverhill and I got 11% bushell and a half of corn Measured up and I am 
to have it on condition that I go to the Eastward to survey and I brot 4 
bushell away and Lodged at my mother in Laws 

10''^ I came home and I brot 12 £ of Rice for Mrs Riddell from Mrs 
McHard 

11"^ I went to Amoskeig and I catched a Salmon of lUo £ 

12"^ I got 10 shad and came home and pd Samuell Patterson a bushell of 
Meal and I went to Litchfield to try to get Capt Parkers fly net but did not 
get it for he was not at home 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. Ill 

13"^ I weut to Londonderry to Mr MacGregores Meeting and came home 
in the Evening 

14th I went to Tho"* Halls to get his fly net but did not get it 

15"! I attended at the Meeting house in Bedford in order to answer to Mr 
Hoiiston at the Pi-esbetry previous to "Which Mr MacGregore preached a 
sermon from the 2d Chapter of 2d Corinthians and the latter part of the 
16th verse and the case came on about Sun set and continued untill a con- 
siderable of a Caudle was bm-ut in the Evening and then the Presbetry 
adjourned to the Next morning 

16"' I attended again at the meeting house the Presbetry thought fit to 
urge a Conferance which I granted provided Mr Houston would give from 
under his hand that he Would take no advantage I offered to do the same 
to him The Presbetry had to urge him a considerable deal before he would 
give his word which he did at length and then the Conferance began aboiit 
10 of the Clock & continued untill 2 at Which time the Presy went to Din- 
ner Except Mr MacGregore who tarried and Drawed up an advice of the 
Presby to the partys when we met and heard it I refused to comply Mr 
Houston did comply after a Great deal of Disputing the Presby voted 
unanimously that Mr Houston should give in his accusation against me in 
Writing signed by his hand if he intended to have the Matter prosecuted 
any farther which he absolutely refused to do and there the affair rests at 
•present 

17'" I went to work at Amoskieg falls ^o the day with Tho« Hall Tho^ 
MacLaughlin & Samuel Richards to blow a place to fish at above the com- 
mon setting place we bored 2 Holes a little into the Rock in order to blow 
and beat off a considerable Quantity with a stone hammer I got 2 shad & 
I pd John MacLaughlin a bushell of corn I borrowed off him the 4th of last 
March 

18'" I went to work at Amoskieg I work lo the day at the place I was at 
yesterday I got the one half of a little salmon and 3 shad 

19'" I went to Amosldeg to Russes and I was accepted into a Company 
that had Made a place to set fish on above the Pulpitt we signed articles 
how to improve the same 

2^' James Houston sett 2 shoes on my mares fore feet he charged 12 V 
and I attended on the Selectmen the afternoon I designed tp charge 3 £ 
old Tenor I drawed 3 Warts for three of the Surveyors of highways and 
went with my compass to help them to lay out a road from the river road 
to that which goes from my house to the Meeting hoiise and I drawed the 
retiu'ii 

22'i I went to Tho" Shirleys and Alex' Kellihers to barn raisings and I 
got 161 Cabage and 55 French turnips plants from Tho** Shirley 

2'M I got two salmon that weighed 203.4 that we catched the night before 
a setting the Net pattersons must have 2 among them to be equal with me 

24'" I workt at Anioskeig above the setting place all the partners was 
present my bror Sam" was Voted in at Halls in the Evening and I took a 
salmon to halls that afternoon and I catched the night before 

25'" Pattersons and I catched 2 Sa^lmon that we had 20^4 they had them 
which makes us Even 



112 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

26*'^ I workt at Amoskeig above tlie setting place 

27th ^j. MacGregore preaclied in Bedford from tlie 3G verse of the 8tli 
chapter of John 

28*'^ Sanmell Patterson and I got 2 salmon by setting that weighed 25 £ 
he had them both and I gave James Thomas a Letter that I vrrit for his 
father to John Nelson Esqr of Portsmouth and I drawed a Writ and sum- 
mons for John Bell Jiuu- against Jas Scot to be signed and Tryed by Jus- 
tice "Walker on Tuesday the 6th of July next Patterson afterwards sent my 
part of the 2 Salmon and my Wife came home from her mothers & I got 
70 or 80 cabage plant from Rob' Gillmors Junr 

29"^ Pattersons and I got a samon and I had it & I went to Amoskeig 
and I catched 1 Salmon and 2 sliad 

30"^ I butchered a Calf of om- own that weighed 32 12 £ I gave my Bror 
Samuell one fore quarter and I lent Mrs Hannah Barnett a hind quarter 

JULY FIRST 

I fell a white pine for clapboards on my lott by Linus and got the Lib- 
erty from Richard MacAUester for my pick of one tree on his lott 

2^ I spent the day in Guming wheting and Setting Bushnells old cross 
Cutt saw 

3'! I workt at makeing Rakes for John Tliomas & Pattersons and I got 2 
salmon one by setting and one by drawing I had the ^o o^ o^i© ^vithe these « 
2 we have got IS this summer I have got 5 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JULY 3 1762 

5"> Pattersons and I got 4 salmon by setting that weighed 57 £ and one 
yesterday morning that weighed 9 £ we divided in Even shares but after- 
wards the Gave Deacon Walker one of 8 £ wt after it was split open which 
came off the whole head 

6"' was a court before Justice Walker at Tho" Halls between John Bell 
Jun'^ and James Scot I assisted Bell and Jos Scobey he pd me 3 £ for a 
days running the lines for him last fall round his place 

7"' Pattersons and I catched 4 salmon by drawing weiged 67 £ we 
equalled the salmon that Deacon Walker got and sent 2 to Tho^ Hall and 
divided so that I was not indebted to them nor they to me and I drawed a 
Recognisance bond for Justice Walker from Scot to Bell he gave me 4 £ 
for it 

gth -^^e. got 2 Salmon one by setting and one by hauling weighed 21 £ I 
had one that weighed 12 £ which is 5 pound more than my part and in 
the Evening we catched one by haulling that weighed 10 £ and I had it 

9"> I had Gauin Riddels Mare and went to Andover and Lodged at Mr 
Ingalls & I borrowed 3 Crowns in silver from my bror Samuell 

10''^ I reed 2 dollars from Mr Ingalls of his note and went to Haverhill 
and got Vo a bushell of corn from Mrs Duncan and 14 £ of rie ^2 ^11 ounce 
of nutmeg and 100 of board nails and paid her for them being 2-9-0 Mass 
O: T: and brot the 2 bushell I had there before away and 2 bushell of Dea- 
con William Moors for the 2 bushells he brought from Haverhill for me 
this summer & I came home in the Evening 



MxVTTHEW patten's DIAEY. US 

Ijih -^Y Houston was assisting Mr Mitchell at tlie Sacrament in Pem- 
broke 

12"> I got the 2i.< bushell of Corn Ground at Col Goffes and 3 pecks of 
Rie I had from John Thomas and I had the Toal and I had the Toal of 
Deacon Moors 2 bushell of Corn that I brought up and on the 9th I pd 
Samuell Moor 20V toward the toal of what I had ground there last being 
almost 3 bushells of Indian and 3 pecks of Rie 

13"' Jonas and I sawed shingle Stuff between and Linns old place 

14'^> I workt at Amoskeig above the Setting place 

15"' workt at the same place and Jonas workt about -^ of the day with 
John Bell Jun"' and Jonas tarried over night without Leave 

16"' I prepared my answer of Defence to the Citation from the Session 
to appear next Tuesday 

17"' Pattersons and I got 4 salmon at their brook 2 by setting and 2 at 
Cold brook by di-awing they weighed 66 £ I got 21 £ and our Cherry cow 
took Bull 

IS"' I went to Londonderry to Mr MacGregores Meeting and heard liini 
Lecture in the forenoon from the first 16 Verses of the 11th Chapter of St 
John and preach in the afternoon from the 

19"' Pattersons and I had 8 salmon weighing about 100 £ one of them 
was Spoiled in the Water and in the Evening we catched 3 that Weighed 
34 £ and the black cow took biiU 

20"' in the morning aboiit 1}4 lialf before day William Karr took ms 
with Samuell and James Patterson -with a Warrant taken out by John 
Goffe Concerning fishing at the Mouth of Crosbees Brook the Wart came 
out from Justice Walker we Were to meet at James Walkers at 12 of the 
Clock We agreed and Goffe paid the Costs he gave me 3-2-6 for my day the 
whole cost amounted to 90-6-6 there was about 12£/12 abated by the sher- 
rif and one of the Guard we brok up about 11 a'Clock at night we had 2 
Sabnon in our net in the morning 

21**' I mended Samuell Pattersons little Cart truck 

22'^ I set out for Corn and I had George Pearsons horse and my own 
Mare and I lodged at David Curriers at Providence 

23^1 I went to Ipswich and got 8 bushell of Corn at 32/6 per bushell and 
came to Curriers that night & I got fg of a hundred of Rice from Mrs 
Duncan 

24"' I came home 

25th ^Y Houston was in Litchfield 

26"' I got the 8 bushell of corn ground at Goffes mill and I had the Toal 
and I had George Pearsons horse to mill 

27"^ I butchered a Lamb that weighed 33 £ 

28*'' I lent George Pearsons o6j4 £ Indian Meal and I am to have the 
same weight of Rie meal for it next week and I drawed a Complaint for 
Samuell and James Patterson and myself against John Goflfe for takeing a 
salmon out of our net on the 13th Instant and went to Justice Walkers 
with it and Rid Pattersons horse & James houstou made me of my iron 
2 nibs one heel ring and 2 set of Wedges 

29"' I began to Mow at home in the afternoon 



114 MATTHEW patten's UIAEY. 

30*'^ We had a prety little rain tliat refreslit the earth cousiderable and 
I pd Samuell Patterson a bushell of meal and 2^^ £ over and I writ a let- 
ter to Mr Sullivan and I Strained my left foot just below my acle as I Sit 
Writing at the Table and was in gi-eat pain with it the night following 

3P' I lay by mth the Strain I got yesterday and I writ a letter to Alex- 
ander Orr concerning my Trapps and I pd Lieut Moor 2 bushell of Meal 
being 110 £ in the room of 2 bushell of Corn I borrowed from him the 10th 
■of last April 

AUGUST 

2^1 being Monday I went and began to Mow in the near Meadow and Mr 
Sigeones lott 

S"! I finished it and came home 

4"^ I went with Lieut Samuell Morrison to Merrymac and Settled accts 
"with James Mathies and for an order that Morrison and Capt MacNutt I 
gave him for 12 Dollars and I gave him a note for 3 Dollars or twenty 
pounds old Tenor the settlement between Mathies & I was made by the 
advice of Lieut Morrison Capt John Stark and Tho* Hall and I came home 
in the evening 

6"^ I finished Stakeing at the near meadow I had 23 Cocks in Number 
some of them were small at the near meadow 

7'^ I mowed some at home and there was an acct come that the fire had 
broke out at Daniel Moors and was like to do gi-eat mischief Jonas and I 
went as far as Strawberry Hill and met John MacLaughlin & Gan Riddell 
comeing back who gave an acct that the fire was got confined and we 
returned home again and got a Quart of rum from Matthew Little 

gth ]y[j. Houston was in Gofl'stown 

9^^ I helped George Pearson in the forenoon he mowed w^hat was ^vithin 
Chandler's fence of my grass and Cocked it and I mowed the afternoon at 
liome 

10'^ I mowed at home and about one or two of the Clock Hugh Riddell 
brought a Summons from the Session to appear at the Meeting house on 
the 23d Instant at 10 of the Clock a forenoon to answer to the charge 
exhibited on the 30th of last June by the Session 

12**^ I mowed above the croth of the brook in the Meadow at home 

13*'i I had my brors Oxen and Cart and carted in 50 cocks and I got a 
quart of rum from Matthew Little 

14tii I went away in the Evening to help put out a fire that James Barr 
set at his house yesterday I workt untill the Middle of the Night and then 
came home and got to bed about break of day 

15th being Sabathday I w^orkt at aforesaid fire 

IQih I workt at Amoskieg above the old setting place 

17*^1 Francis Baruett and Lieut Little helped me Mow in the Little 
meadow We mowed all on the west side of the brook in my lower meadow 
Exceept a Slip by Deacon Moors fence and I got a quart of rum from Mat- 
thew Little 

18^"^ was a rainy day but not a great deal of rain 

19t'> I turned hay and Mowed and raked 5 cocks at the little Meadow 
and I butchered the horned Ewe she weighed 44 £ 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 115 

20''^ was a Considerable Quantity of rain and I prepared for the trial at 
the Session to be next monday 

21** George Pearson paid me GVo £ of meal towards the SG^:^ £ he bor- 
rowed on the 28th of July last and James Caldwell and his son James 
helped me Rake hay in the Little meadow and we raked 47 cocks if we 
did not miscount 

23*' Was my brors trial and mine at the Sessions they gave no Judg- 
ment but Referred of themselves to the next Presbytery at Bedford either 
stated or jjrovenata 

25*'^ James Houston sett 2 shoes on my Mares fore feet the charge is 12V 
old Tenor and I borrowed a bushell of Rie from old John Bell 

28"^ I workt at Amoskeig falls above the setting place 

30"> George Pearsons wife paid us 39 £ of meal that he borrowed on the 
28th of last Jiily and I hunted pigeons I got 40 and shot six times 

3,1^* George Pearsons ^^^fe paid the remainder of the meal he borrowed 
the 28th of last July and I finished ^vriting 8 advertisements for Archi- 
bald MacAllester for the sale of his place and I gave John Goffe the In- 
voice of Bedford 

SEPTEMBER 

3'^ I finished momng at the Little meadow 

4''^ James Caldwell Jun'' and Wilham Wallace helped me to Stack and 
Rake hay 

5"' Mr Houston preached in Goffestown 

6*-^ I got Gawin Riddells Mare and I set out for Portsmouth and I bor- 
rowed 46 £ old Tenor from my mother 

7"^ I arrived there in the Evening 

8"' I took the oaths of a Justice 

9"^ I went to the Governor and returned him thanks and I got the Com- 
mission in the Evening and set out in Company with Lieut MacMurphy 
and his bror Archibald and came as far as Kings town and my boys got 2 
bushell of Rie meal from Alexander Macmurphy 

10"' Major Tolfords wife Gave me a bushell of wheat and 2 Cheeses and 
I came home in the Evening 

11"> I butchered Susannas pet Ewe she weighed 39)^ 

13"' Hannah Davis came to our house to spin 

14"' I vendued Archibald MacAllesters place and drawed the Writings 
it was sold to James Wallace for 1640 £ old Tenor and I charged Mac- 
Allister a Dollar for Writing the advertisements Venduing Deed &c and 
I charged Wallace for notes and acknowledgments 25/ old Tenor all 
unpd 

IS'h I run a line between Fergus Kennedy and James Voce and I 
charged 40/ and Kennedy paid me the half of it and did a small Job for 
Richard MacAllester with my Compass and I run the north Line of 
Gauiu Riddells Lott and charged 40V 

16"' I run lines between John MacLaughlin and the two Bells and 
Divided the place between the two Bells I charged 5 £ for the whole John 
MacLaughlins part ought to be one quarter 

17"' In the afternoon I went with Mr Sullivan to Matthew Littles and 



I 



116 jniatthew patten's diary. 

helped tliem to settle tlieii* accts aud got home about the middle of th 
Night they past Receipts 

18*'^ I recorded the Province List of Rates aud Wart 

20^'! was a town meeting which I attended the wart was dated the 4th 
of September 1762 and was ordered to be held the 20th of next September 
Ensiieing but was held this day 

25"! I had John Clogstons mare and went with Mr John Fowle to 
Wilton to take the acknowledgement of a Deed from Beuj Buxton to him 
Lodged at Mr Butterfields over the Sabath 

26*'^ Mr Houston was in Goffstown 

27"* I came home again Mr Fowle gave me a Note of 12 £ old Tenor for 
my pay 

28"* I vendued Ebenezr Johnsons place he has not paid me the charge 
is a Dollar 

The following part of the week I ractified my cart body 

OCTOBER 4th 

I run lines for Francis Barnett for his helping me mow in the Little 
meadow on the 19th of last Augiist 

5th William Thompson got me to go to Ensign Reeds to Swear Evi- 
dences in the case that was to be referred between him and John Blairs 
executors but the executors did not come and Mr Houston brot a Citation 
for me to appear at a Presbytry to be held at the Meeting house in Bed- 
ford on the Nineteenth Instant to answer to the Articles of Charge Ex- 
hibited against me in the Session on the 30th of last June 

6"* I Drawed an acct for Robert Kennedy of Lo : Derry and swore him 
to it and Drawed a power and acknowledged it and charged him 40"/ 
unpaid and drawed a power for Samuell Killpatrick and he paid me 7/^ in 
silver for it 

7"* I settled Tho^ Smiths acct with his Son Reuben and he pd me the 
ballance being 22-17-5 old Tenor aud 20/ over that I could not make the 
change to pay him aud I sigued a Writ and summons for Tho** Butterfield 
of Dunstable against Tho^ Davis of Mousou and gave Butterfield a Sum- 
mons for Witnesses to be tryed on the loth Instant all uupd and I re- 
corded the Ministers and town Rates and Warrants 

8"* I went to work at Amoskeig according to appointment but there 
was none of the partners come aud I writ a pair of ludentui-es for Tho* 
Hall of Wilhani Ne^vuian aud a deed from Hall to said William Newman 
and took the aclviiowledgement the charges is 4 £ unpaid 

9"* I paid James Hunter 4-18-8 old Tenor being the remainder of the 
price of the Butter I had from him the 23d of last December 

12"* I finished mixing 40 £ of paint for the Meeting house the Com- 
mittee foiTud the oyl 

13"* my bror Samuell raised his house aud I ^^Tit a Deed from Deacon 
Riddell to his sou Hugh and charged 50V acknowledged aud all uupd 

14 15 16 18 aud the 19"* uutill the middle of the afternoon I helped my 
bror Samuell at which time my bror and I went to the meeting house to 
the Pi-esbytery to answer to the Charge Exhibited against us by the Ses- 
sion and tarried uutill in the Evening 



MATTHE^y patten's diary. 117 

20*'^ my bror aiicl I attended the Presbytery they voted to hold us to 
Tryal ou the fii'st article notwithstanding our pleas of abatement The 
Presbytery Judged iis Guilty of withdrawing from Mr Houstons perform- 
ances -without Evidences or owing the fact according to the charge as 
Schismatical and rebuked us to which we submitted and immediately we 
and James Walker and Richard MacAllester gave a Supplication to Mr 
Houston for a Dismission 

21**' Spent ^3 of the forenoon with widow Carkin who complained of 
Tho^ Davis for abuseiug but did not give her a wart and Waited on Mr 
Abercomby untill in the afternoon he Lodged at my house the night be- 
fore 

22<i I had my brors oxen and I went to MacAUesters Mill and brought 
home 753 feet of boards 

23<i I got %, a bushell of Indian Corn and % a bushell of rie from John 
Clogston and had it ground at Capt Goffes mill and I went to Will'" Mac- 
cliutocks and left 12 £ old Tenor with his Wife for him on Capt John 
Starks acct and I paid Hannah Davis 40V old Tenor toward her work 

25"^ I held a court in a Case of Trespass wherein Thoiuas Butterfield of 
Dunstable was Plant and Thomas Davis of Monsou was deft after the 
examination of the Witnesses and Pleas made the partys agreed the Case 
I took for my fees 6-17-0 old Tenor Davis paid me the money and I signed 
a Wart for Sarah Carkin against said Davis for some personal abuse and 
I paid Samuell Patterson 3-5-0 on William Nutts acct 

26'h Lieut Little informed me that he Settled my acct with Moses Gile 
and that there was 13-11-0 old Tenor allowed on the Ballance due to me 

28"^ I killed a pig that weighed 82 £ and swore James Walker and 
George Person to abide the Judgment of William Thompson Capt Barron 
& Samuell Patterson their Diflferance 

29th "VViiiiam Barnett helped me to Butcher my ox that weighed 367 £ 
of beaf and 53 i^ of a hide and Jonas helped him in the afternoon to Dig 
potatoes for his helping me butcher and I got one and a half bushel of 
Indian Corn from John Clogston and got it ground at Col Goffes mill and 
my bror gave me a barrel of Cydar 

30''i my boys diged about 2}^ bushell of potatoes that my bror gave me 
and I borrowed % a bushel of salt from James Walker and I Coppyd 
George Persons and James Walkers Deposition for Jonathan Chamberliu 
to be settled for 

3pt ^Iy Houston was in Derry field 

NOVEMBER 

P' I went to London: Derry and lodged at my Mother in laws 

2'' James Houston sett 2 shoes on my mare and I reed 34 Deeds from the 
Recorder and my Mother in Law gave me 10 £ of Wool 

3'! I gave Zachariah Stearns a Summons for witnesses to appear at Rob- 
ert Ushars on Fryday next 

5'*^ I went to Robert Ushars and Drawed 11 Depositions and Swore the 
Deponants and writ the Captious I am to receive 8 £ if Sterns loses the 
Case but if they gain it I am to have what the court alows 



118 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

6*1^ I partly filled a Deed from Johu Harvey to Ebenezer Noyes and 
acknowledged it and reed the pay for it and for Writing the Mortgage 
Deed from Ebenezer Robins being 40V in all from Harvey 

8"^ I gave Robert Morrial a Ooppy of the highway by Richard MacAUes- 
ters to his land Charged 20V to be paid by the town and I lent my Bror 
Samuell 4-13-0 old Tenor 

9"^ I finished makeing 12 Window f rams for my bror Samuell and began 
a Washing Tub 

IQth I ^vent out to yeakum hill and Veiwed some timber that Obidiah 
Bellnapof Haverhill had cut on Col Blauchards heirs land and came home 
by Hu.gh Riddells and I got 3 bushel of potatoes from his son Robert at 45/ 
per bushell 

11"' I finished makeing the Washing tub and began another and I wi-it 4 
letters for John Jacobs 

12*'^ I went to Litchfield and got 4 bushel of Corn from Daniell Kendall 
for which I paid him 7 £ silver money and I got it ground at Col Goffes 
Mill and I had the Toal but did not pay for it 
15'^ I made a washing Tub 

16*'^ was to be a Session at which I and my bror and James Walker and 
Richard Macallester attended but it was no Session 2 of the elders came we 
confer a while and at last we got to scolding with which it ended and I 
gave Jonathan Chamberlin a notification to London : Derry Commitee that 
I inteded to take a plan on Fryday next at ten of the Clock in the forenoon 
17*^^ I gave Adrew Bixbe a Writ against John and Abial Abbott of 
Andover ye charge is 4-4-0 old Tenor unpd and I got John Clogston to 
come and Butcher 3 hoggs and I went into the woods With 2 of Lieu' 
Heths sons of Roxbury to show them land and they gave me a Dollar for 
my pains and took me down to James Walkers and they paid for my sup- 
per and Drink and I got a bushel of salt from Jonathan Chamberlin deliv- 
ered at my hoiise by his son 

18"' was the Pi-ovincial Thankesgiveing 

19"' I went to Jonathan Chamberlins pr order of Coui-t and London :- 
derry Comtee met me the partys agreed to have plan the premises by the 
writ without runing the lines and I bought X £ of Indigo a 4 £ 1 ounce of 
snuff 8V 1 Earthen pott 14/ 1 do a 9/4 and Dearning (?) 3/« at Wilham 
Duncans all on Credit 

20"' I spent the day a planning London: derry and Chamberlins Contro- 
verted land 

22 23 & 24 & 25 I was a surveying on London: derry Pi-oprs and Jonathan 
Chamberlins controversie pr order of the Inferiour Court 

26"' I sowed a Niu-sery at my place between and new Boston 
27".' I workt at planing my work on Chamberlins Controversie 
30"' I gave William Gembell a Wart of apprizemeut for 3 Creatures he 
pounded yesterday in Derryfield pound unpd 

DECEMBER 

l>*t John Dinsmoor came here to make shoes 

3'i Hannah Davis went home who had been here 9 Weeks a 45/ pr week 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 119 

I let her have a pair of shoes for a fortnights work and the soleing and 
heel taping a pr and 40 V in money pd her all but 13 £ old Tenor 

9th "^^iiiiani Gamell returned the prize Wart and paid me for it and for 
taxing and John Dinsnioor finished niakeing 8 pair of shoes and I finished 
makeing a table for Rob' Gillmoor Jum-s wife 

10"» John Dinsmoorwent to work for James "Walker in the morning and 
I finished a sqiiar table for Tho'' Millers \\T.fe 

13"^ I went with Capt Ferrin to show him my farm up Piscataquog River 

14 & 15"^ I was with Capt Butterfields sons runing the lines of their 2 
lotts on the south side of Piscataquog river I had 2 bushell of Indian Corn 
and 20/ Mass old Tenor for my time and my Expenses born 

16"^ I run the lines of no 3 in the first rang on the south side of Piscata- 
qiiog- river for Autipas Dodges father and Antipas is to let me have 6 
bushell of turnips and I went to Esquire Walkers to assist the Selectmen 
to make the Rates and workt that night at them 

l~th -^yas on the same I charged 12 £ unpd 

18t'> We finished makeing Rates and I came as far as James Karrs and 
W" MacDugal met me there and I run the lines of his Lott and charged 
him 4 £ unpd 

20"i I carried yearn to Widow Shiply at Major Moors for 24 yds of 
checkquered woollen 

21*' I run lines for John Thomas round Nelsons 3d Division and 1 line 
for James Voce 

22'^ I went to John Jacobs and got one new shoe made of my Iron and 4 
shoes set and a foot put into a pot and he charged 2-8-0 he gave me the 
setting the 2 shoes for some \vriting I did for him I could not pay him 

23<i I was out at the ash swamp -svith Capt Barron Tho'* Murdough John 
Thomas Daniel Moor and James Voce and did one lot for myself 

25"! I Cleaned our Well and in the Evening I got an order from the 
Selectmen of 33 £ for takeing the Invoice and for my being town Clerk 
and for a Coppy of a transcrii^t of a highway to Morrial and 3^ a day assist- 
ing the selectmen and in the Night there fell a snow about 6 inches deep 

27"^ in the Night following I Writ a deed from Daniell Moor to Capt 
Barron and one from Barron to Moor and one from Deacon William Boies 
to Moor and one from James Voce to Moor Voce I forgave Boies paid me 
and Moor paid me Capt Barron did not pay me his is 40/ and Moor paid me 
for his part of my time at the Ash swamp last Thursday and I did as much 
for Jacob Nukerck as I reed 49/ for 

28"^ I got a Quart of Rum from John Bell on Credit and a barrel of 
Cydar from Capt Barron at 8 £ to be Discounted on a Note of Charles 
Black that I have 

29"^ My bror made house Warming my wife and I was there and I got 
an order from Col Goffe on the selectmen of Bedford for his swearing the 
town officers last March Meeting and I got 24 £ from my mother 

30"^ I sent two Dollars and 3 peistereens and 34 £ old Tenor with John 
Bell Jun'' to pennykook to biiy Corn from Moses Eastman and I sent a 
Sack and 4 meal baggs with him 

31*' I hunted but got nothing 



120 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

JANUARY FIRST 1763 

I borrowed 2 busliell of ludiau Corn from Joliu Bell Juii"^ aud lie told me 
lie bouglit me ISj/g of Indian for me at pennykook and had it filled up into 
my baggs 

In the night following the 2d and on the thii-d day there fell a Snow 
a,bout 18 inches deep it cleared away abont the middle of the day very 
pleasant ' 

4"^ in the night foregoing it began to snow and continued snowing 
untill toward the middle of the day it fell between 2 & 3 inches deep 

5"^ I sent and brot Hannah Davis to our house to help us 

6^'^ was appointed to Examine James Little and Saniiiell Patten on their 
Constableship and Lieut Moor on his CoUectorship there was only Samiiell 
Patten that come and we did nothing and tarried nntill in the Evening 

7*'^ I borrowed 2 bnshell of Corn from John Bell Jiin"" 

8*^^ I sent it to Mill but did not get it ground 

10"^ I sent and got it ground and I swore the prisers of the steer that 
Ebenezer Johnson pounded on the 25th of last Decb"^ and of the Damages 

12"^ Hannah Davis went home after breakfast and in the Evening it 
began to snow and continued until next morning there fell a hail in the 
later part of the storm about 1^4 inches thick that made a crast it fell 7}^ 
inches deep and I got a pair of sled sides from William Thompson and he 
is to have my Wood Sled 

15th I -vvent with my steers and Deacon Gillmor Nathaniel Patterson 
John Clogston and George Pearson and broke to the Little meadow 

16"^ In the Evening it began to snow and continued untill the next day 
it fell about 7^2 inches deep and on the 17"^ I finished makeing a Sled of 
the Sides I had from Thompson 

19"' I had my brors Oxen aud Sled and went to the Little meadow for 
hay 

24''' I brot a load for him of my hay 

26"' I drove twice to the meadow and finished I had my brors oxen the 
whole time I had 8 Jags and I bargained away my Meadow Lott in the 
ash swamp no 27 to John McConoughy for 14 Dollars and he pd me 
6 Dollars in a peice of Goold 

27th I went to Barrons Camp aud bot 4'^ 2 bushell of corn from Moses 
Barron for 3 dollars 

28"' I had John Clogstons Mare and went and got 4).< bushell from 
Moses Barron and got S}4 bushell of it Ground at Caldwells Mill aud 
I had the Toal for pay but could not pay it for want of Change 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 28 1763 
FEBRUARY FIRST 
I went along with my bror Samuell to Daniel Moors Saw Mill and haled 
in two cutts of slit work that I had lying by Gregs old house 
2'i there fell about 18 or 19 inches deep of Snow 

7"' iu the morning I went and borrowed 5 Quarts of Rum from Matthew 
Little and went aud got 4 £ of butter from Francis Barnet on Credit and 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 121 

my Wife had not been well from the fryday morning before gi-ew so bad 
that I went of in the Evening about 8 or 9 a Clock for woman and got 
John Browns wife and Hannah Barnett and in the morning of the 8 
between midnight and break of day she was Delivered of a Daughter there 
fell a Snow this night and in the morning about 13 or 13 inches deep the 
Woman came and went home on snow shoes and I got Esther Patterson 
to come a day or two to take care of my Wife the snow is in general about 
3 feet and 7 inches Deep where it is neither drifted nor bore up by bushes 
and Very solid 

9"^ Jonas and I shoveled our sled path to the West of all our fields 

W^ Esther Patterson went home in the morning early and in the after- 
noon I borrowed a gallon of Rum from Matthew Little and bot 2£ of 
shugar from him on Credit 

IS'^i John Brown Cutt wood for me and I hauUed 

14"i I hailed Wood & we had a ewe lamb a black lamb 

15*h I gave John McConoughy a Deed of the meadow lot no 27 in the 
ash swamp and I took his Note for 1-16-0 Sterhng on Demand with 
Intrest untill paid dated the 26th of January last and Esther Patterson 
washt at our house and I sowed on a pan* of Soles on my own shoes 

letii there fell a snow about 3 or 4 inches deep this day and the night 
be'fore and after we had 3 ewes more lamb which brot 4 lambs 

17*h one of the Twin lambs died and I got a Gallon of Molasses from 
Capt Barron and I gave Jonathan Chamberlins a summons for Jean Linn 
to appear tomorrow at Matthew Littles 

18"i I gave Jonathan Chamberlin a summons for 4 Witnesses more and 
I went and got some Spruce and I went up to Matthew Littles with 
George Person and I gave James Walker a Notification to George Person 
and a Summons to James Walker for 7 Witnesses to be taken tomorrow 

19'>^ spent the forenoon with Major Blanchard a planing in London : 
Derry Proprirs and Jonathan Chamberlins Controversie and in the after- 
noon I went and took the Depositions for Walker and he lent me a bushell 
of Corn and Jonas went to Mill with it and I settled with Daniell Ingalls 
on his Note and for all that I had ever reed from him (viz) one bushell 
of salt he let me have at my hoiise a 40/ and 12 bushell Jonathn Cham- 
berlin brot me of his partner Mr Peabodys at 25/ pr bushell and 2 Dollars 
I had In the afternoon there was Ensen Hubbard and William McClure 
came to have me go with them np to Bakers river to sui'vey and I went 
and Changed snow Shoes with John Bell in order to fitt out and my \^^fe 
had got cold whereby she was very much out of case and had no rest the 
night following 

10"i I sent Jonas away for Hannah Barnett to come and wait on her 
this day and she came and did and she got a little Easyer 

11"^ I set out with William McClure for Pemitchawasett and Lodged at 
Capt Fo-yvlers 

12"' I Joyned the rest of the Company at Penny kook being Ensign 
Brown and Hobart Messrs Eluathan Blood and John Willabie and tarried 
there over the Sabath at Mrs Osgoods 

14th -^re set out and lodged about 12 miles from Pennykook at Mr Tho" 
Poses 



122 MATTHEW patten's DIAHY. 

Ib^^ we arived about 4 or 5 mile above the Crotch of the river 

16*^1 we canipt about }4 way over the 3 mile Carrieiug place 

17"^ we arived at the Intervale and Campt 

29*'^ I finished laying out GO lotts Containing about 347 acres in the 
Intervale on Pemitchewasett 

30"^ we set oiit for home and came to the Crotch of the river and lay at 
a loging camp 

31'*' We came to Mr Henry Lovejoys and lay there 

APRIL FIRST 

set out at half an hour past 2 in the morning and came home that 
Evening about sunset I was out 19 days, we got as much by hunting as 
we shared 4-2-6 pr man while I was gon James Walker lent me a bushell 
of Rie and Samuell Patterson lent me 2j4 bushell of Indian Corn and Col 
Goffe lent me a half bushell of Indian Corn and ^o bushell of Rie 

2'^ Samuell Patterson lent me a bushell of Indian Corn and I workt 
planing my survey 

4*'^ I spent the day on planing 

5"' I spent the day and finished the Plan of my survey at Pemichewasett 
for the proprietors 

7"^ I got a Gallon of Molasses from Capt Barron and settled with him 
for this and 2 gallon more that I had from him and a barrel of Cydar 
being 17 £ & 40/ he owed me for Writing done at Matthew Littles and he 
cleared off Charles Blacks note & I reed 39-6-0 old Tenor the note was at 
lutrest and I took 2/6 pr £ and I pd Lucy Barron 6-5-0 and John Clogston 
brot his Mare to me to keep for him 

8*'' I paid my bror Samuell 17-16-0 being his fees of service and 40/ he 
Expended for the Guard and four pounds for MacNight one of the Guards 
in Charles Blacks case and 3-4-0 over in a 25 £ bill and I got 2 £ of butter 
from Mrs Hannah Barnet 

gth I -^yrit a Deed from Lieut Moor to his son James and in the afternoon 
I went to Widow Bells apprising part of the personal estate 

lltii I got 1^ a gallon of Molasses from Mr Daniel Ingalls and I lent my 
steers and sled to George Person to move from Clogstons to his father 
Chamberlins 

13"' I went to London : derry to assist Robert Macmurphy to draw his 
Administration Acct 

14*'^ I endeavored to help him but was so much out of case that I could 
not 

15"' I went over to Chester With Rob' Macmurphy to settle with Wil- 
liam Kelscy but Major Tolford was from home that we could not and I 
reed 100 £ old Tenor from William Tolford on acct of his note 

16"' I came home again and in my way I got an ounce of Onion seed 
from James Roggers and could not pay for it for want of change , 

18"' I Vendued Alexander Orrs place it was sold for 930 £ old Tenor and 
Several other articles and our Cherry Cow Calved a bull and I reed 6-5-0 
old Tenor from William McDoel for 2 deeds I put on the record for him 
and I paid Rob' Riddell 6-5-0 toward what potatoes I had from him 
last f aull 



MATTHEAV PATTEN'S DIAIIY. 123 

IG"* I ^^Tit the deed of Alex Orrs place to Joua" Ciirrier and a Mortgage 
from him to Orr for security and took the Acknowledgements of both 
deeds I charged Currier 3-5-0 and he paid the money and I went and 
Veudued Robert Morrials place for 1400 £ old Tenor and I pd James 
Mathies 3-2-6 old Tenor towards my Not I gave him last summer and 
I reed 26/ Mass old Tenor in -Silver from Morrial for Vendiieing 

20"i I went with. John Clogstons mare to Abraham Cochi-ans in New 
Boston and I got }4 ^ biishell of potatoes from him for which I paid him 
25/ and I came to Antipass Dodges and got l>o bushell of Tm-nips on acct 
of my siu'veyiug last faull round his fathers lott and I came to William 
McDoels and got ^^ a biishell of potatoes from him and 3 £ in money on 
acct of my makeiug the rates in Goffestown last faull and he owes me 
1-10-0 yet on the same acct 

22'! I set out for Dunstable and I got a new shew made of my Iron and 
sett by John Jacobs on John Clogstons mare for which I paid him 25/ 
old Tenor and went and lodged at Mr Harwoods 

23'i I went to Jonathan Blauchards and I got 4 bushell of rie and pd 
him 26 £ for it and 11-10-0 toward 2 bushell more and I came home and 
I got 2 bushell of it Ground at Capt Chamberlins Mill and I had the Toal 
and came home in the afternoon 

24th ]y[j. Houston Was absent he set out for Pelham 

25"^ I went to Dunstable and I had John Clogstons mare and got 
4 bushell of Rie from Jonathan Blanchard and paid him 14-10-0 and 
11-10-0 I paid him on the 23d paid the 4 bushell and he gave me 2-6 old 
Tenor back in change and he gave me my dinner and I had it Ground at 
Capt Chamberlins and I had the Toal 

26"> I pd Widow Bell a bushell of Rie Meal that I borrowed last faull 
of her late husband John Bell and I went in the afternoon to James 
Walkers to a proprietors meeting of souhegau East and I was chose 
Proprietors Clerk and I -s\Tit a Petition for the last years Selectmen for the 
General Court to have Meeting for the choice of town ofificers in Bedford 

27**^ I sent James Walker a bushell of rie meal to pay a bushell of rie he 
lent my Wife when I was at Pemitchawasett in last march and I gave 
Tho* Murdough a Summons for a number of Witnesses to appear at Dea- 
con Kendells on Thursday the 5th of May next and a Notification to 
James Mathies the advers party 

28"^ I finished plowing the peice between the house and barn and I went 
to Patrick Taggarts and took Agness Examination on Bastardy she swore 
the Child on Samuel Kilpatrick and I tarried all night 

29"^ I came home in the forenoon 

30'** I lay by all day out of case 

MAY FIRST 

I sweat and was much out of Case and Mr Houston was absent from 
Bedford 

3'' I married John Harvell Jun"" of Litchfield and Widow Rebeccah 
Walton of Derryfield and he gave me 6 £ old Tenor and I went in the 
Evening according to a former appointment to Matthew Littles and 



124 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

divided our setting rock company of Which Tho^ Hall and I was Voted to 
chiise partners Hall chose Samiiell Patten Samnell Richards and Tho^ 
MacLaiighlin and I had Tho^ Miller John Little and John Bell 

5'^ I went to Sam" Caldwells and swore took 12 Depositions for Tho^ 
Mnrdoiigh against James Mathies and Drawed a Conipt and Wart for 
Capt Parker against sd Mathies and tarried all night at Caldwells 

6*"^ I came home iu the forenoon and writ a letter to Deacon Williams 
on the proprs of Soiihegan East acct concerning the proprs book &c 
and John Clogston took away his mare she has been absent in the time 2 
nights since she first came 

7"^ I went to Litchfield and spent the day at Deacon Kenndalls on Park- 
ers and Mathies case I adjourned it untill next Thursday at ten of the 
Clock to the same place and I reed 40 £ from Ensign Hobart and 45 £ 
from Major Blanchard on acct of my surveying this last muter at Peni- 
itchwasett and I got % £ of peper from Mr Lut^wyche and I pd him for it 
and for % a £ of powder and 2 £ of shot I had from him this spring on 
Credit the 23d of last April and I got 2 bushell of Oats from Mrs Russell 
and I am to go to her next Thursday to run lines for her to pay for them 

9**^ I attended at James Walkers by Vertue of a Commission from the 
Governor to Col Goffe and Justice Walker and me to Swear John Shepard 
as a Justice of the peace and he gave me 21-3 Mass old Tenor and I sent 
46 £ with James Little to Jonathan Blanchard to buy 18 bushell of rie 

lOth I went to Peuuykook and Bells old horse and lodged at Mrs Osgoods 

11th J gQi; 4 -bixshell of the Corn from Moses Eastman that John Bell 
bought for me last December and I got it Ground at Clements Mill and I 
had the toal at the rate of 4 £ per bushell and I came home 

12"^ I went to Litchfield and went into the woods after Obidiah Hause 
and took the acknowledgement of the deed he gave to James Voce unpaid 
a.nd went and lodged at Mrs Russells 

IS'^i I run lines for her and lodged there that night 

14*11 g}jg gave me 3-2-6 in money and the Oats I reed the Saterday 
Taefore for my surveying and I went to Derry and Chester to help to settle 
with William Kellsy about the rough farm and came lodged -with my 
Brother in law Rob' McMxu-ph over the Sabath and I reed 2 johannas from 
William Tolford on acct of his note 

16*'^ I came home in the morning and I ^vrit a deed from Ebenezer Cos- 
ton of his place to John Kidder I charged each of them 16/ old Tenor all 
unpaid 

17'^ Ensign David Hobart came to my house and agreed for me to go to 
Pemitchawasett in about a fortnight he bot me a right and gave 19-10-0 
old Tenor for it more than the charges I pd him 10 £ old Tenor and 55 £ 
that was due me made 65 i old Tenor that I paid him for it & we are to 
acct aboiit it when we know how much the charges is the right he bot me 
was Deacon Francis Worcesster the Entervale lot of them that I laid out 
is no 30 and I got 3io Quarts of Seed Corn from Samuell Patterson all but 
a Duble handful James gave me and he would not say What it would be 

19* I took John Bells old horse to John Jacobs & got 2 shoes set on his 
fore feet the charge is 14/ unpd 



IMATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 125 

20^^^ I set out for Pennykook and it stormed on me more tlian half the 
way it began with hail and then rain and then both together and then 
snow among them and at length it was snow altogether and covered the 
ground Entirely and lay over night nntill the next day I had John Bells 
horse and James Moors horse and I took John with me and we lodged at 
Mrs Osgoods 

21^* I bot IIq bushell from Nathaniel Eastman for which I paid him a 
Dollar and I bot a peck of peas from him for which I pd him 2-13-0 and I 
brot 4 Quarts home of them and I brot the 8 bushell of Corn that John 
Bell bot for me from Moses Eastman and I got it ground at Clemens mill 
and I had the Toal and I paid him 3 £ and he let me have a peck of his 
corn and I came home and John stayed at Jonathan Martains and he came 
home on sabath morning 

22*1 the Sun Rise very pleasant biit presently clouded over and began to 
rain and rained the rest of the day and all the night following very hard 

23<i It still continued to rain in the morning when I ^\Tit this it cleared 
away by the middle of the forenoon it was an Exceeding great rain and in 
the Evening I vrrit 5 advertisements for John Bell for the sale of hi.s fath- 
ers personal Estate and Mr Stephen Powers of HoUis came to my hoiise to 
see at me when I should go to Pemitchawasett and Lodged here all night 

24"^ I pd James Walker a bushell of Indian Meal for the Bushell of 
Corn I borrowed of him the 19th of Last February and I attended a 
Proprs Meeting by adjournment at James Walkers in the afternoon and 
adjourned it farther untill the 26th of next July at two of the Clock in the 
afternoon 

29'^ Mr Houston assisted Mr Mitchell at the sacrement in Pembrooke — 

30'^ I acknowledged a deed for Hugh Riddell Jun'^ not paid 

3 let I yf-cit 2 Deeds from Ebenezer Coston to John Kidder and acknowl- 
edged them and Charged 3 £ unpd and Kidder is to pay it and I had Pat- 
tersons horse and set out for Dunstable for a load of rie and I lodged at 
Mr Harwoods 

JUNE FIRST 

I sett out for Westford and Mr Cox sett 4 shoes on Pattersons horse and 
charged me 28/ and I could not pay him for want of makeing change and 
I went to Westford and bot 10 bushell of Indian corn from Mr Tho'* Cum- 
ings and I pd him 14 £ Bay Money for it and I brot 4 bushell of it away 
with me and I bot 10 bushell of corn from his neighbor Burge and pd 
IX £ for it old Tenor and left a sack for to fill 8 bushell of it into and the 
4 bushell I brot from Cumings I brot to Jonathan Blauchards and left it 
there and brot 4 bushell of the rie from there that I bot from him and I 
left 6-5-0 with Augustus for his bror Jona to make up the pay for the 8 
bushell I sent by James Little for to him and I lodged at Mr Harwoods 

2'' I came home and I got it Ground at Capt Chamberlins and I had the 
Toal and I got several articles at Mr Lutwychies on Credit to the amount 
3 £ Bay old Tenor and I spent the afternoon and untill a good while in the 
Evening drawing out the Inventory of John Bells Estate 

3'i I knit a Scoop Net 



t/ 



12G MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

4"^ I laiit auotlier both my own a pound made them both 

7*'^ I set oiit for Pemitchawasett in company with. Tho^ Lund Jun' to 
survey and I arived at Penny kook the next day noon and I got 20^0 £ of 
Pork and paid for it I got a half a bnshell of corn from John Chandler 
which John Bell bot for me last faull and he ground it and I arived there 
on Saterday afternoon 

13'^^ Jonas Kyes mended my shoes and I Hoed for him and paid for it 

14**1 J gg^; out to go to Conecticut men who had been in camp above Con- 
vints falls and when I came I found that they were moved away and I 
returned to our camp 

IQ^^ I set out for home in Company with Elnathan Blood Jonas Kyes 
and Thomas McClure and Got to the Crotch of the river and I had a mare 
of Major Blanchards that Lund brot to carrie our provision on and she 
went back that night 

17"' McClui-e took my saddle and all my things but my Blanket which 
blood took and brot them to Amoskeig falls and I arived home this night 
in my going out at Peunykook I had a pound of chocolate from Capt Mac- 
millins wife on Credit the price is 48/ old Tenor and at Mrs Osgoods a 
going and coming my charge was oO/s unpaid also The reason of my 
return so quick was the flys was so plenty that I could not work and there 
was only one of oui- Comtee there the other was gon home 

between the 20th and 25th I chiefly spent at Amoskeig and got about 20 
shad and 2 salmon and I got 2 salmon from James Voce for what he owed 
me and we Quit Scores and on the 24th Jonas got a pigg from Francis 
Barnett 

26th Was the Sacrenient in Bedford and Mr MacGregore assisted 

Before I sett out for Pemitchwasett on Saterday I bargained with David 
McCleary for a swap of My third Division that lys by him for his meadow 
lot in the little meadow we were to Exchange Even and he was to have the 
hay this year I was to have a warranty Deed and he was to have Quit 
Claim from nie 

27tii I began to plow in the old field before the house I ploughed in the 
forenoon with my mare and Steers and in the afternoon I had my brors 
old Oxen and I gave Lieut Nocker a Notification to Jer Carleton of Litch- 
field to hear some affidavits taken at Ensign William Reads tomorrow at 
3 of the Clock- in the afternoon which I am to take 

28'^ I plowed in the forenoon about }4 of the time with my own Steers 
and the other one half with my brors young Oxen and Jonas plowed with 
his oxen in the afternoon and I went to William Reads according to ap- 
pointment and took 4 depositions for Esquire Borland against Jeremiah 
Carleton and I charged 5 £ old Tenor and James Nocker Lieiit his attorney 
gave me 6-2-6 the overplus is to go toward my runing lines for him in the 
year 1765 

29"' John Jacobs set 2 shoes on my Mares fore feet and I pd him 40V old 
Tenor and I went to the haiiling of Daniel Moors barn and tarried untill 
almost sunset and came home and gave Jonathan Chamberlin a Summons 
for 4 witnesses to give Evidence at Matthews Littles on Saterday next at 
S of the Clock in the afternoon in George Persons Case and gave him a 
Notification to James Walker 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 127 

30"^ I had my bros young Oxen and plowed and I gave William Joans a 
"Wart against Joseph Butterfield to bind liim to the peace my charge was 

£ old tenor and he gave me a Dollar and I gave him no change 

JULY FIRST 

I went with my Mare to Jonathan Blanchards and brot away the 4 bush- 
ell of Corn I brot from Westford and left there on the 1st of June last and 

1 got it Ground at Capt Chamberlins mill and I had the Toal & our Heifer 
took Bull 

2'i I had my brors young oxen to plow ^o tlie day and I paid him a bush- 
ell of Indian Meal for the bushell of Corn I had from William Baruett 
spring was a twelvemonth and in the afternoon I went to Matthew Littles 
and took two depositions for Jonathan Clianiberlin in George Persons case 
^vith James Walker and did not pay me 

4"^ I went to Amoskeig to fish and got but one shad 

5*^^ I went and fell a tree for Staves on the highway Land joyning on 
my Meadow fence and went and borrowed Richard MacAllesters horse for 
my Avife to go to her Mothers next day 

6"^ my Wife and I went to her Mothers and I got between 3 and 4 gal- 
lon of vinegar from there and came home with Richards horse and left my 
Mare there she was Very lame the night between the 7th and 8th the Bear 
came into the town by my brors and killed a lamb for us and took it down 
into the Edge of the Meadow and Eat his fill of it and we saved to the 
amount of % of it 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JULY 7th 1763 

8"^ I had my brors young oxen to plow but was hindered by the Bears 
killing the lamb the night before and in the afternoon the Mold board of 
my plough was so much shattered I had to leave off so that I did not plow 
half the day 

9"^ I finished makeing a new mold Board for my i)low about 10 or 11 of 
the Clock and the boys plowed untill night with my brors young Oxen and 
our Steers and I had John Bells mare and I went to London: derry for my 
wife but my o^vn Mare was so lame that I could not bring her home I went 
to James Houstons and pulled off the Shoe and pared her foot and let out a 
Considerable Corupted matter and got him to set the shoe again and my 
\vife tarried and I came home and my Mother in Iqm gave me a quarter of 
Veal and as much meal as ballanced it 

10"' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford and I sent home John Bells 
Mare 

ll'i^ I sett out for New Boston to help to fix a place for to build their 
Meeting house on the other Committee man was Capt Chamberlin and my 
bror 

12 13 & 14 was on the same busness and arived home on the night be- 
tween 12 and 13th. the rose came on the inside of my left leg below the 
Calf & opperated so that by morning there was a large Wax-Camel in my 
Groin and I layby all the 13th and was much out of Case about the Middle 
of the day I went to bed in order to get a sweat and Mrs Cochrane made 



128 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

me an Herb clriuk and I sweat cousiclerable that day I felt better aud had 
Deacon Cochraues Mare to ride home ou We drawed our Jiidgem.euts 
there our charge was 24V each Mass Lawfull luouey 

15''^ I seut Deacon Cochranes mare home by Rob' Addams who was go- 
ing up 

16*'i I went to London: derry and got my mother in laws Mare and my 
wife came home ou her and I rid my own Mare 

IS"' I set out for Westford for Corn ^^^th my Mother in Laws Mare and 
John Clogston went along with me with his Mare I bore their expences I 
would have taken his Mare and he would go himself We got 8 bushell and 
came and Lodged at Mr Harwoods I got all the corn from Mr Cummings 
that he owed me and 2 bushell from Mr Burgh 

19"' I came to Oapt Chamberlins and got the 8 bushell Ground and I 
had the toal of 4 biishell aud the other 4 they took the toal of 

20*'' I pd Samuell Patterson 2 bushell of Meal John Clogston had it by 
an order from Patterson and I drawed a Compt from Daniel Moore against 
Samuell Wallace and I went to London: derry with my Mother in Laws 
Mare and came home in the night 

22'! I had my brors 2 pair of Oxen aud plowed in the west side of the 
field before the house 

23'! I went to Rob' Gillmors in Goffestown and run the line between him 
and Lieut Little aud he foiind thread and Sowed a pan* of Soles on a pair 
of pumps for me and we offset 

24th ]vIj- Houston was in Derryfield 

26"' I attended a P*i'oprietors meeting by adjournment of Sowhegan 
East att James Walkers they voted to have me go to Boston for the Books 
papers and Plans and Col Golfe proposed to Disburst 2 Dollars towards 
bearing my Expences and my bror proposed to advance some and both to 
look for it from the Proprietors and James Walker proposed to find me a 
horse and to get his pay the same way 

27th I got James Walkers horse and fitted off for Boston but got disap- 
pointed and tarried untill next morning and I reed 2 dollars from Col 
Goffe and a Crown peice from my bror 

28"' I got up about Midnight aud I arived at Boston that night 

AUGUST FIRST 

I arived home in the evening and brot home four bushell of corn from 
Mr Burge in Westford of what I bot from him in June last 

S"! I had my brors Oxen both pairs about half the day and I finished 
plowing the field before the house and I pd Capt John Stark 6 Dollars 
towards the intrest I owe him 

4"' I went to Chester and Lodged at Major Tolfords 

o"! I took up the Deed that John Caldwell and I gave to John and Will- 
iam Tolford of the land that my father in Law left me in Chester and I 
gave William ToKord a Seperate deed and he paid me a huuflred pound 
old Tenor I have reed 200 £ old Tenor and 16 dollars for what land I Sold 
him he set the price himself and the time of payment and I got a pig from 
Rob' Macmurphy and came home in the evening 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 129 

gtii I -went to Dunstable for the 4 biishell of Rie I had at Jonatliau 
Blaiichard but wheu I came I found he had put it away iiotwithstaiidiug 
I paid him 26 £ for it and my bags there to put it in and I had to come 
home without any he promised to send it to Capt Chamberlin by Fryday 
well sillied fit for gi-indiug and I brought a Johanna and 2 Crowns and 2 
English shillings from old Mr Allds for which I paid him 74-13-0 old 
Tenor The Discompt was 7 £ pr Dollar 

gth I sent Capt John Stark a Johanna by my boys and I settled with 
Deacon Robert Gillmor and I paid him for wooll my "Wife had from him 
in the year 1761 and for 3^ £ of Tea I had the same year from him being 
9-12-6 in the whole and he paid me a piestereen and a half in silver for 3 
£ of Puttee he had from me some years ago and I gave him a deed that he 
had from Woodbridge Brown that I put on the record for him 

10"^ I butchered a lamb that weighed 34 £ 

11'^ was a thanksgiving throughout the Province on acct of the Peace 
But Mr Houston did not preach altho he was at home and in health he did 
not receive a proclamation nor certain acct of the appointment as he said 
altho the people generaly went to Meeting how the people univertialy 
came to hear and he not I cant tell When his Wife was informed of it by 
my Wife on the oth instant att our house who told Mrs Houston the acct 
of the thanksgiveing was in the newspaper and our Black Cow took Bull 
in the morning early 

12"^ I intended to begin to mow at the little meadow but did not but 
pulled our flax at John Clogstons and our Belled Cow took Bull in the even- 
ing and I signed a recomendatory Certificate for Capt Barrons Wife to 
the Church in Amherst 

13'^ we finished pulling our flax at Clogstons 

14"i I heard Mr Hancock preach in Bedford in the forenoon from these 
words Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord &c and in the afternoon 
from these words Watch and pray for ye know not what hour your Lord 
Cometh 

15^'' Samuell & James Patterson and I made a haull for salmon at their 
brook but gof none 

16*^ I began to mow in the little meadow & I got a Gallon of rum from 
Mr Lut^vyche on Credit ye day before 

17 18 19 William Barnett mowed for me in the Little meadow 

20"^ I workt at the meadow and I got up 100 Cocks this week and there 
came up a Shower about the middle of the afternoon and catched about 20 
cocks ready for rakeing in this weak Alex Orrs wife reaped a little more 
than 3^ a day 

22<^ I spent the day to take Depositions for John Brown of New boston 
in his case with Daniell Macmurphy tliey agreed the Case my charge for 
summons Notification and this days attendence I charged 8 £ old Tenor 
and brown paid me 3-3-0 and before I went on the above busness I •^^Tit 2 
Deeds from William AUd to Daniell Moor and took the acknowledgement 
and acknowledged 3 Deeds for AUd and did Some other writing and 
charged 6 £ and I reed the money AUd paid 4-8-0 and Moor pd 1-12-0 and 
Alex Orrs Wife reaped for me some more than ^^ the day and I sent John 



180 ]MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

to Capt Chamberlins mill lie took 2 biisliell of Indian corn with him and 
got it gToiind and brot it and some of the rie Jonathan Blanchard sent 
there for me the 4 bushell he sent there for me when it came to be dried 
it lacked a peck CaiJt Chamberlins wife or family dried it and Measured it 

23<i Mrs Orr reaped for me % the day or the afternoon and I made a fork 
handle the boys and I reaped 2% stocks in the forenoon 

24'^^ the boys and I put up a Stack of hay at the Little meadow and I 
run the line between James Caldwell and Beuj Smith and I put 3 or 4 
names more as Witnesses into William Jones Wart 

25"^ I paid John Wallace 30V I owed him toward a scyth I had from him 
this summer my bror paid 5-10-0 of it for me when I got it 

Se''^ I finished mowing in the Little Meadow 

80*^^ I settled Samson Moors note of 20 Dollars with Hugh Riddell on 
James Breakeni-idge acct he pd me 11 Dollars and a piestreen he ows me 
and an order on Rob' Walker of 12 Dollars and I gave David McCleary a 
Wart against William Moor for Moors kicking and stricking McClerys 
sou John on the 26th instant the charge is 4-8-0 old Tenor unpaid and I 
gave Rob* Kennedy of Goffestown one Deed of his own and 2 of his bror 
Thomas that I had put on the Records and there remained 5-7-0 old Tenor 
to be paid More than I had reed and he pd me 3-2-G of it and there remains 
44V6 which he promised to pay 

31st I -writ a deed from William Karr to William Read and a bill of sale 
and acknowledged each of them and charged 3 £ old Tenor and Read 
promised to pay it and Karr got his deed from me that I put into the 
records for him the charge was 3 £ and 40/ he owed me on Hit Emerys 
acct made 5 £ he owes me which Answered a G £ he had from Thos Camp- 
bell of Lo: Derry which alows me to recive and I gave the note to Rob' Mac- 
miirphy to get for me some time ago 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I attended a proprietors meeting of souhegan East at James Walkers in 
the afternoon 

2^^ I finished Stacking hay at the Little meadow I had l65 Cocks this 
year there was 32 in the Dispute Lot 

3 4 & 5 I was out of Case by reason of the left side of my face being 
sweled which proceeded from a rotten Tooth and my getting cold my Wife 
sweat me and I recovered better 

gth I -^yent to John Jacobs and he made 2 new shoes for my mares fore 
feet and set them off my u-on and put a peice on a scyth and set the heel of 
another and charged 50V and I did not pay him 

7"^ I went to Mr Liitwyches and got % £ of peper and 1 Gallon of Molas- 
ses arid % a gallon of Rum and 1 ounce of Snuff and I paid him 1-8-0 Bay 
old In Sterling bills according to the Discompt he makes toward the above 
things and I spent the night follo-sving untill daybreak a settleing Will- 
iam Barnetts James Voce and James Pattersons account of their Rapht- 
ing this last spring 

8"^ I spent more than ^.i the day on the above acct and I paid Hugh Rid- 
dell Junr 1-18-0 old Tenor being the remainder of What I owed his bror 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 131 

Robert for what potatoes I had from him last f anil I paid him 6-5-0 before 
toward them last April the day that Alex Orr Vendued his place and I 
lent Matthew Little a Glass bottle full of Linseed oyle and paid him the 
Glass Bottle full that I borrowed of the Comte for the meeting house some 
years ago the glass Bottle full I lent was filled in the same bottle that I 
borrowed in 

9"^ There was a frost the night following which killed a number of 
Pumpkin leaf es and beans and some Corn leaves 

16"^ I finished mo-sWng and set out and went to Westford and got the 4 
bushell of Corn I had at Mr Burgs and I bot 10 £ of pork and paid 46/8 Bay 
old Tenor for it and came and Lodged at Parkes & I got 100 of Wafer that 
James Voce brot from Boston he paid for them 

17*^ I bot 7 £ of sliugar from James Tyng and paid him 1-7-6 for it and 
I bot at Gordons 3 Cotton Romalls a 13/6 each and L £ of Ginger 7/ and 
3 £ of shot a 3/ pr £ and a Quire of Writing paper a 9/ and I paid of them 
thing 1-2-6 and the rest I am trusted for and I got 2 Caks of chocolate at 
Mr Lut^vyches on Credit being 18/ and I got a bushell of wheat from Mr 
Gearfield and I am to give the common Market price for it when I pay it 
and I got the 4 bushell of corn Ground at Capt Chamberlins and I had the 
toal 

2P' I sent Jonas to Mr Lutwyches and I sent him 2-10-0 in Silver and 
got a Gallon of Rum and I got no change and Sam'' Patterson made me a 
pair of shoes 

22^' I set out for Plymouth to Survey and lodged at Mrs Osgoods and did 
not return homeuntill the 16th of Next November being 8 weeks in Which 
time I got 2 bushell of Wheat from Elnathan Blood of Pine Hill Dunstable 
unpaid and I got 10 £ of Beaver by catching while I was out and my Wife 
sent to Lutwyches and got 3 Quarts of Riun and 8 £ of Rice and sent it up 
to me and about 3 £ of butter with Major Blanchard and a parcel of 
Flower to thicken my Rice and Chocolate 

NOVEMBER 16'^ 

I came home from Plymouth in Evening about 10 or 11 of the Clock 

17"^ there fell a snow ancle deep very diy 

21^' I drawed a coppy of plan of Rob' Gilmoors lott in Goffestown (viz) 
no 9 in the 2d rang on the south side of Piscataquog river charged 20/ 
unpaid and I went to John Goflfes Mill to bring home some boards I had 
there since Spring was a twelve month and they Were gone as Goflfe said 
to Mend his fathers barn and he let me have as many feet for them being 
240 feet 

22'i I spent the afternoon and the Evening at Col Goffes on the affair of 
a new Township and got a bushell of Rie ground 

23'i I spent the day going among the Inhabitants of this town to know 
who Voted for Col Goffe for an Assembly man to be Proprietors and John 
Jacobs mended my holdfast and charged 8/ and I did not pay him and I 
reed 11 Dollars from Rob' Walker and a Dollar he paid my Wife before 
made the 12 Dollars that he was to pay me on Hugh Riddells acct that he 
was to pay me on James Breakenridge acct for the Quarter of the right of 
Laud in Benningtown 



132 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

THURSDAY 24*^ WAS THE GENERAL THANKSGIVEING 

28"^ I spent the day at Col Goffes aboiit the new Township and I paid 
Mr Newman 25/ old Tenor towards this year ferriage and I paid Eleazar 
Wells o/' by Writing a power of attorney and acknowledgement for a Jill 
of Rum I had from him last spring at Amoskeig falls and I got ig a^^'i^'^^pll 
of salt from Col Goffe and paid 3 Dollars in Silver for my own right and 
for Jonathan Martains name that I p^^t in for my self 

29*'^ I & my Wife & Jonas John and James went a cran berrying and got 
about a bnshell 

30"^ I paid Joseph Farmer a Dollar toward the Rie my Wife got from 
him while I was in the Woods 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I sowed 2 bnshell of Wheat in the old field by my brors 

5^^ I finished stocking Rob* Morrials Gun and I went iu the afternoon 
and run lines for Tho^ Hall over Pistacataquog river on the heads of the 2 
home lotts in Bedford unpd 

6'h I went to New Boston and tarried at Alex'^ McCollums over Night 

7"^ I bot 2 pails of Butter from Mrs Cochran at 5'/ pr pound Bay old 
Tenor the pails & biitter weighed 47 12 the pails weighed 9 £ 2 ounces the 
butter weighed 38 £ 6 ounces 

8*11 I went and got 2 bushell of rie and 2 of Indian ground at Goffes mill 
and I writ 2 deeds for Lindsey George Wallis of Boston one for Capt Bar- 
ron and the other to Daniel Moor Wallis paid me 15V Bay old Tenor for 
the Deeds and Capt Barron and Moor owes me for the Acknowledgement 
and I lent Daniel Moor a peistereen in Silver 

lO'h I sowed a bushell of Rie in the old field by my brors 

11"^ Sabath day Mr Houston was in Derr^'field 

12"^ I went to see Col Goffe and met him at Capt BaiTons bars and I 
writ a deed from John Goffe to Eleazer Wells he paid me his part and 8V 
for Goffe and Goffe paid me the remainder and 1 7 V toward the 20V he was 
to pay me for Tho** Karr and I filled a Writ and summons for James Lyon 
against Tho^ Croford to be tryed the 26th Instant at one of the Clock in the 
afternoon 

16*ii Samuell Patterson sowed on a pair of soles for me I had the soles 
and thread from John Bell he owed me One sole and he lent me the other 
and the thread and Ensign Hobart came to my house to have me go to 
assist Plymouth committee to cupple their lotts 

17'h I went to pine hill 

19 20"^ was on the busness 

21^* came home and got a Quarter of Beaf from Ens Parker weighing 85 
at 2/ pr £ and I pd him 50/ silver money more than pd the beaf silver 
money and Ensign Hobart took his horse and brot it to Gearfields for me 
and Elnathan Blood let me have his Mare to ride to Gearfields 

22'! I brot the Quarter of Beaf home 

23'! was the town Meeting in Bedford by a speceial Act for the choice of 
town officers for the Currant year and John Shepard Esq was appointed 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 133 

Moderator by the General Court I was chose Clerk and clerk of the Market 
and I reed 4-4-0 old Tenor from Andi-ew Bixby for a Writ he got from me 
last year or last spring 

24*1^ I got 2 biishells of Rie ground at Goffes mill 

26'^^ was a snowey day and the case I was to try between James Lyon 
and Crowford the writ was not served 

37"' the snow is now more than mid leg deep and I broke through to the 
Little meadow and brot home a little hay 

28"' & 28"* was soft and inclining to a thaw 

30 & 3P' I brot a Jag of hay each of these days from the meadow 

JANUARY FIRST 1764 

was a snowey day being the 3d snowey Sunday going 

2 & 3*1 I brot 2 Jags of hay from the meadow 

4"' I brot home 2 Jags this day 

5"' was a Snowey day and I writ a Bill of Sale from Rob' Gillmor of 
Merrymac to his Daughter Elizabeth of a Negro boy and Aclaiowledged it 
unpaid 

6 & 7"^ I brot home 2 Jaggs hay from the Meadow and John Dismor 
made a pair of shoes for Jonas and another pair for John 

8"' my Mare was swelled on the off side of her Belly and between her 
hind legs as far as her tites 

9"^ I bot 2 quarters of a Cow from Major Moor it weighed 155 £ a 6V pr 
£ came to 46-10-0 and I gave him my Note for the Money and I got an 
almanack from Col Goffe and paid for it 

IQtii Was a town meeting and I was re chose to build a Piilpit with John 
Wallis and John Bell was added in the Room of Hugh Riddell who is 
moved out of town 

11"' I sent Deacon Thomas Cochran by Archibald MacMurphy 9-14-0 
Mass old Tenor for 38 £ and 6 ounces of Butter I had from him on the 7th 
of Last December the price was 5V pi* £ Mass old Tenor being 2V more 
than the butter came to Mass old Tenor 

12"' I had Pattersons horse and brot home the beaf from Major Moors 

16"' I "WTit a Deed from Daniel and John MacCiu-dy to James Mathies 
and I acknowledged it and I gave Mathies a Deed I put on record for him 
the price of the Deed was 2-12-0 and the acknowledgement and an order 
from Mathies on James Karr came to 1-0-0 all to be settled by a Note 
Mathies has of me 

17"' I went and got 6 bushell of Rie and G bushell of Indian Corn from 
Samuell Barnet and I had John Goffes INIare to help my Steers and I got 10 
bushell of it Ground at Samuell Caldwells 

20"' I cut 2 Chestnutt trees in Capt Barrons lott north of James Cald- 
wells for Rails and Deacon William Moor made a new Spool and teethed a 
Heck for me to be settled for 

22'i Mr Houston was in Litchfield 

23 & 24"' I drawed 3 Jaggs with my Steer of hay from the meadow and 
on the 23d Mary Riddel came to us to spin some Wool 

25"' I recorded the Town and Province rates and Warrants 



134 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

26 & 27"^ I hauled 3 Jaggs of hay more 

28'^ I attended the funeral of Matthew McDuffees wifes mother and 
mary Riddell finished spiuiug and Went home 
30*'^ I made a new yock for my Steers 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I hald 2 Jaggs hay from the meadow 

3<^ I hald home a Jagg of hay being the last I have gon 19 times for my 
hay this year 

7*^^ we had a Ewe lambed a Ewe lamb and it died the 8th it snowed in 
the morning and then abated and in the afternoon it snowed out of the 
East very Violently, the snow fell about 4 or 5 inches deep 

10"' I went to Mr Lutwyches and Got 4 £ of shugar and one £ of ginger 
1 paper of pins and 1 Cake of Soap on Credit and carryed 4 meal bags to 
Samuel Barnet to be filled with corn and the night following we had a 
Ewe lambed a Ewe lamb 
• 12"' Mr Houston was in Litchfield 

15"^ I went to Samuell Barnetts and got 8 bushell of corn from him and 
I carried it to Samuell Caldwells mill and got 6 biishell of it Ground 

1 7"' I went to London : derry and lodged at my Mother in laws 

18"' I went to John Mitchels and gave him my Note for 46 £ old Tenor 
in Exchange of a Note I had gave George Duncan of the said Nominal 
suiu on acct of charges of no 3 on Penobscot river and took his rect and 
left that rect with sd Duncan to redeem my note to him and took Duncans 
rect for that rect Either to Deliver it or my note 

20"' I gave Daniel Kenndel a Summons for 6 Evidences to give Evi- 
dence at William Reads in Christopher Kenndalls case against Capt 
Thos Parker on the 22d and a Notification to Capt Parker and I carried a 
Woollen Webb to Jas Lyon and assisted John Bell to di'aw out the accf 
of the Demands on his fathers Estate 

2i6t I -^rot home 2 plauk from McAllesters mill for Cart fellows and 
19 sticks of Slit work 

22*1 I went to William Reads and swore six evidences for Christopher 
Kenndell and his bror Daniell gave me 5-2-6 old Tenor and 2 peistereens 
for what I did in the affau- and I swore 2 Witnesses for William Richard- 
son against Capt Parker he did not pay me and I came home in the 
Evening 

24"' John Dinsmor finished makeing shoes he has made 7 pair this win- 
ter the charges is 14 £ for what he did this winter I paid him this Winter 
8-5-0 and I owe him yet 27-15-0 old Tenor 

25"' I had my brors 4 oxen and I hauled 3 rail cutts to the Little meadow 
and I took the 2 slit work cuts that I had lying at Greggs old house to 
Daniel Moors Mill and he sawed them they made 44 sticks and I had them 
all and I got 26 sticks of the 2 butt cuts my bror & I hauled in last Vv^inter 
and I brot them home 

27"' I set out for HoUis and lodged at Major Blanchards and I borrowed 
the 2d Volum of the independant Quig 

28"' I went into HoUis and reed my order for my wages for my survey- 



MATTHEW patten's DIARV. 135 

ing for Plymouth proprs my order was 542 £ old Tenor the collector signed 
over a note to me on Thos Riiss of 1 GO £ old Tenor in part of my order 

29"i I settled with the Collector for the dues on my own right being 86 £ 
on my order and for 62 £ old Tenor on Deacon Stephen Websters right and 
took his (viz) Websters note for the money and I gave Ensn David 
Hobart an order of 9 £ old Tenor being what I owed him on the price of 
my right in Plymouth that he bot for me 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 29 1764 
MARCH 1st 1764 

was a training in Bedford under Col Goffe for the publishing the Com- 
missions 

2<^ I drawed a petition to the selectmen for Gauin Riddell to incert an 
article in then- next Wart for a town meeting and I pd Samuell Patter- 
son a bushell of Indian Meal 

3*^ I had Gauin Riddells Mare and my own and I went to Ensn 
Parkers at Pine hill and got 282 £ of Beaf a IVS*^ pr £ Massachusetts old 
Tenor it amounted to 10 Dollars and 20V said old Tenor and I gave him 
my note for ten Dollars and 20"/ or New Hampshire old Tenor equal 
thereto with Intrest untill paid and came home in the Evening and as 
I came home Thos Wallace gave me better than }4 a bushell of Parsnips 

5th J -yvent to New boston and Qualified their Town officers 

6"^ I returned home The night before I lodged at John McLaughlins my 
charge for this service is 12 £ old Tenor not yet paid 

8*'^ I got 4 bushell of rie from Gauin Riddell and 2 bushell of Indian 
corn and a bushell of rie on Robt Morrials acct and the 4 of rie and 3 of 
corn is on acct of the Stack of hay he had of mine last Winter and I got 
one bushell of rie from Morrial himself this and the bushell I had from 
Riddell on his acct pays (with what he and Thos Mathies wife reaped 
for me) the stocking his Gun 

9th I "vvent to Richard McAllasters mill and I brot away 12 sticks of slit 
work that Joseph Houston owed and brot home a stock of boards that 
Gauin Riddell brot to John Bells for me and 5 Sticks of Slit work that 
Richard Mac AUester owed me and I paid Sam" Patterson a bushell of corn 

10"' I Drawed a Plan of Sowhegan river through Merrymac and on the 
side of Amherst and the town of Merrymac and Litchfield and part of 
Monson and part of Amherst and part of Bedford for Gol Goflfe to carry 
to the Governor next week and I ^\Tit a letter for James McNight for 
Will'" Eloit for some nails he owes McNight 

12*-'' I VN^ent to Mr Lut^^'yches and got 2 Gallon of Molasses >4 £ of tea 
one Jack knif one hundred of Pump nails and I paid him a Dollar in silver 
and 8 £ old Tenor that Stearns (viz) Zachariah and Daniel paid him for 
my takeing Depositions for their mother in her case with Mr Gordon and 
I agreed with Daniel Kenndell for 20 bushell of Corn a 3 £ pr bushel and 
he is to bring it to Reads for me into the bargain 

13"' I went to St(nvarts and got a Net pole and some Spruce 

15 16 & 17"' was on the busness of takeing some Depositions in per- 



136 MATTHEW TATTEN'S DIARY. 

petuani rei niemoriam relating to Mr Honstons settleiug in Bedford the 
Justices was Col Goffe and Alex' Walker they took them at James 
Walkers 

21'^' I paid Hannah Barnet 47V Mass old Tenor 

24*'i I Drawed Fencing Loggs with James Pattersons Draughts 

27"^ I paid Joseph Farmer }( of a Dollar toward the rie I had from him. 

28*'* was the annual meeting and I was chose Clerk and one of the 
Selectmen 

29"* I took divers persons Invoice West from the meeting house includ- 
ing McAllesters Morrals Murdough Widow Nimocks and that breadth 
Eastward and the river rang Except Capt Barron 

30*'* OUT Heifer Calved a Heifer calf and in the night following we had 
a Ewe lambd 

3P' I lay by all day by reason of a sore on my right loyn under the 
west-band of my britches 

APRIL FIRST 

there fell a snow near 3 inches deep the Sun was Eclipsed this morning 
at five of the Clock being 41 minutes before she rise 

3'^ was a considerable heavy rain in the fore part of the day in the after- 
noon I writ a Mortgage deed from James Wallace to William Barnett and 
Acknowledged it and charged 40V I owed him lOV toward a little chair 
and 32V toward 2 twenty-four shilling bills he gave me some years ago to 
get changed in the province Treasury and we offset them two sums for 
what I did in ■\^Titing this day and in the forenoon I recorded the March 
Meeting Wart and the Votes of the meeting 

4"* I sent Jonas to Mr Lutwyches and & }i of Tea £ % of peper % ounce 
of Nutmeg 1 Quire of Writing paper 7 £ of Rice and 2 Gain of Molasses 
on Credit and 2 bushell of Indian Corn from Daniel Kendall and I 
appointed to Lay out the Road in Litchfield next Saterday 

6*'* I cut my laiee pan about 9 or ten of the Clock forenoon 

7"* I had Capt Walkers Mare and went to lay out the Road in Litchfield 
and Derryfield pr order of the Sessions did no more than view the Groimd 
oui* Expenses at Maj Moors came to 16-13-0 old tenor and 8-14-0 at Col 
Goffes our ferriage was 18V for 3 comtee men Before the morning of the 
8th the Ague settled in my Cutt knee I suffered a great deal of pain and 
could do no work the whole week following My boys ploughed 4 days this 
week to wit- the 10th 11th 12th and 18th days 

8*'* Mr Houston was absent 

14*'* Proved a Rainy day 

15*'* Mr Houston was absent 

17*'* I sowed a little more than a bushell of Rie in the field by my brors 
which finished it 

18*'* I went to Col. Goffes mill and got 2 bushell of Rie gToimd into 
Meal and I fished and catched 19 Chubs 

19*'* I sowed almost 2 bushell of Rie in the field before the house and I 
was to have held a Court wherein Timothy Taylor was Plant and Thos 
Lancey was Deft Lancey appeared and Maj Blanchard appeared for 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 137 

Taylor they made up the case and Blaiichard paid lue 30**/ old Tenor for 
my trouble it Raiud the latter part of the day considerable and Snowed in 
the night following that it was an inch or two deep next morning 

20"^ being Good Friday was the Provincial Fast 

2P' The Snow melted away and we laid up the fence behind the house 
and I sowed 2 bushell of Rie in the field before the House and Samuel 
Patterson and I went a fishing at Seabens Ponds and we catched 13 
Pickerel 

22'' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

23'^' I sowed 3 bushell of Rie in the field before the house which finished 
it I sowed almost 7 bushell in it and a little more than a bushell in the 
field by my brors makes 8 bushell in all this spring 

24"^ I had Richard McAllesters Horse and I went to Samuell Baruetts 
to Draw "Writing between him and Robt Alexander of his place and 
between John McConnel and Samuell Barnet of McConnels place and I 
sit up all night and finished a little before day and Jonas took MacAllesters 
horse and went to Daniell Kenndells and got 4 bushell of Indian corn and 
brot it to Gofi'es mill and got 2 of it ground and left the other 2 at the mill 
and Sam" Baruettis to give me 6 £ and Alexander paid mc 5-17-0 and is 
indebted 3V for my service 

25*'^ I came home about the middle of the day 

26'*^ I went to mill for the 2 bushell of Corn Jonas left there day before 
yesterday and I took James and Bob with me and we catched 82 fish with 
hook & line and I got the Corn ground 

27'^^ James Caldwell sent me 4 Dollars by his son James for my service 
a fixing a meeting hoiise plan in New boston 

28^'^ I got 2 sow piggs from Tho'* Miu'dough 

30"' I finished my Surveying Stavs 

MAY FIRST 

I had John Bells mare and went to Dunstable to run the lines of the 
land in Controversie between Jo^ Eayrs and William Cox the Refferies 
was to meet at Col Lovewells to Determin their Dispute Lodged at 
Mr Coxs 

2*^ was on the bussness Lodged at Mr Coxs 

S"! I went to Mr Gordons Shop and I pd the shopkeeper a Dollar I owed 
2-3-0 Bay old Tenor and I got U £ of Tea 1 £ Brimstone 6 sheets of Car- 
tridge paper 5£ of shugar 1 Dozn Cups and Sausers Chenie the whole 
came to 6-14-6 I paid 2V of it in the Dollar I gave more than what I owed 
before and I came by the way of Hollis and Lodged at Cousin W™ Pattens 

4"! I came home John Bell sent a bushell of Rie and I got it changed 
for malt and got it gi'ound my charge for my Journey 3 days at lOV sterling 
pr day I told Cox that if he had to pay the Cost I would take 5V sterling 
pr day I spoke to him to make me a Gridiron in part of pay and while 
I was at Dunstable my wife let my bror Sam'' have 2 Dollars in Silver 

7"^ I went a fishing in the Morning and catched 12 pickerel and a perch 

§th Thomas Cowan came to me for Daniel Sterns to have mo take an 



138 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

affidavit for to carrie to the Superiour Court I gave him a Summons and a 
Notification to the Adverse party 

9"' the boys & I workt at laying up the log fence before the lioiise 
10*'i I gave Robert McCormick a Wart of apprizement for a Mare Colt 
unpd and I went a fisliing & catched 12 pickerel The night before it 
Thundi'ed & raind considerable and I gave Jonathan Chamberlin a 
summon for 3 Witnesses in George Persons case with James Walker & 
a notification to Walker unpd we had our Belld Cow die a Calveing some 
time in the day she was turned out about 9 a Clock and my brors children 
found her some time before night she was ou a good dry peice of land on 
the west side of Clogstons field and the north side of my brors 

12"i I settled with Col Stoddard for Cutting acct and I gave him my 
note for 50 £ old Tenor on Zechariah Cuttings acct to be pd in 6 months 
with Intrest at 10 pr cent Pr annum till pd and I went to Robert Ushers 
and took 2 Depositions for Daniel Sterns and 2 for Lieut Hildreth and 
Sterns paid me a Dollar and Hildreth paid me 3 £ old Tenor and Robert 
McCormick paid me 35/0 old Tenor for the prize Warrant for a Colt I gave 
him on the 10th instant 

On the 11th I took 5 Depositions for Jonathan Chamberlin in George 
Persons case with James Walker I charged 4£ and he pd me 3-12-G old 
Tenor 

14"i I attended in the afternoon at Capt James Walkers on Examining 
the Claims on John Bells Estate but no person came there came in Com- 
pany and we tarried that I came home about Midnight in the morning 
I sent home Richard McAllesters horse which I had on Saterday to Litch- 
field for Grain I had from Daniel Kenndell and I had one of Col Goffes 
horses likewise and Jonas went and brot the gi-ain from Ens" Reads there 
was 14 bushell of it 12 of Corn and 2 of Rie he brot it to the Cols Mill and 
got 4 bushell of it Ground and John went with my old mare and brot 
home 2 bushell and Jonas brot 2 of it in Meal and 2 in Corn and I got 2 £ 
of butter and 2 of hogs fatt from Widow Bell and I sent her 40"/ old Tenr 
towards it 

28**^ I planted my Corn 

29"> I went to Amosldeg Falls to Fish 

JUNE 8*1^ 

I attended to lay out the highway in Derryfield from Chohass brook to 
Litchfield line and iu Litchfield from Derryfield line to INIr Josiah 
Richardsous 

9*'' I drawed the Returns 

11* I attended at Capt Walkers on Examining the Claims on John Bells 
Estate and Sent the Returns of the highways to the sessions by Col Goffe 

15"> I broke off fishing I got 361 shad and l^o Salmon home I gave John 
Little & James Patterson 27 shad and 25 I had Stolen and 5 my bror Sam^i 
got of mine in this mouth while I was fishing Jonas got 2 bushell of salt 



MATTHE^Y PATTEN'S DIARY. 139 

from Jonatliau Chamberlin for me and I bot a busliell of Salt from little 
Robert Clark the salt was at Capt Joliu Starks and I paid Clark 5 £ for it 

18*'' I went to Timothy Taylors and run lines for him and charged him 
6 £ unpaid 

19*'^ I sent 10 £ of Beaver to Boston to be made into Hatts and sent 
2 dollars for several articles by Matli^ Little 

2P' I pland at Makeing a plan of Plymouth half the day 

32'i I was at the Preambulating the line between Merrymac and Bedford 
it rained a Considerable and hindred we were very wet we got from the 
Southwest corner of Bedford to Joseph Scobys his house is in Bedford the 
hne touches the southeast Corner of his house 

23'i I pland at the Plan of Plymouth 

34th -^j. Houston assisted Mr Mitchell of Pembrook at his sacrament 

25 and 26"^ I finished Plymouth plan 

27"' I assisted with Col Goffe and Esq"^ Walker a Swearing Number of 
the officers of Col Goffes Rigemeut at Capt John Starks 

28 & 29"' I run lines for Mr Eben' Harris of Dunstable and in the 
Evening I went to Hollis and reed 62 £ old Tenor from Deacon Webster 
and 2 £ old Tenor Intrest for 4 months and I lodged at Esq'^ Cumings 

30"' I took the Collector of Plymouths note for 230 £ a 10 pr Cent Intrest 
being what was due for my last years service beside what I settled before 
and I settled with John Jacobs and paid him off being 7-17-0 or 18V the od 
shillings he alowed for Writing I did for him and I pd him 7 £ in Cash 

JULY 2^1 

John Jacobs set 2 shoes on my Mares fore feet & I pd him 12/ for it 

3<' I went to Pennykook to Swear the Remainder of the Officers of Col 
Goffes Regiment they gave me 9-6-0 old Tenor and I pd my o^vn expense 
in equal club with the officers while we were together my whole expenses 
was 9-15-0 that I pd in Cash and Col Goffe pd all from Pennykook home 

4*'' I arived home in the Evening about Midnight while I was in Penny- 
kook I paid Mrs Osgood what I owed her for Expenses last faull being 4 £ 
and I paid Doctor Carter for }4 ^^ ounce of Heirspeikery I had from his 
wife last September 1-4-0 old Tenor 

6"' I workt at Amosldeg fauUs at a place out against Capt Starks Mill 
with Lieut Stark who workt in Hiigh Stirlings room 

7"' I got 2 bushell of Rie from Lieut Moor for which I paid him 8 £ old 
Ten'' and I went to mill and got it Ground 

9"' I attended to finish the runing the line between Merrymac & Bed- 
ford but was Disappointed by Capt Barron not comeing & in the after- 
noon- I attended an Examining the Claims on John Bells Estate & Jonas 
got a pig from Capt John Moore of Derryfield 

10"' I paid Richard McAUester my Province Rates and John Jacobs did 
as much work for me as come to 1-8-0 old Tenor 

11"' my Wife went to London : derry and rid Richard McAllesters horse 

12"' James Patterson and I catched 2 salmon by drawing And he 
catched Iby drawing and 1 by Setting I had one that weighed 223^£ 



140 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

13*^ I flrawed 2 petitious to go to the General Court relating to fishing 

15"^ I heard Mr Wilson preach in Goffes town in the forenoon from the 
32 Chapter of Deutonomy & 29 verse and in the afternoon from the 19th 
of Saint Lnke and 6th verse 

16"^ I with the other Selectmen spent the day at Mathew Littles make- 
ing money of the invoice and settleing with Several who had borrowed of 
the tax money and Renewing the Notes 

17'*^ I spent the day with my bror in Lp^w William Tolford & his son 
John till near night after they went away I went with Richard McAllester 
to Col Gotfes concerning the province Rate money that he paid Goff e to 
Carrie to the Treasui-er 

18*'* I went over to my mother in laws to see my wife who we heard 
had strained one of her ancles by Widow Boies and tarried there all night 
but when I came there I found the information was not true 

19*'* I came home and was stooped at Capt Duncans by Lieut MacNeill 
and Eldr Robbins on the fishing affair and tarried with them untill Just 
night and I got a Quu-e of paper at William Duncans & pd 30/ for it 

31^' I held a Court between Nathaniel Gearfield Plant and Amos Chase 
Def the case was continued on the plant acct for more Evidence untill 
Thursday the 26th to Capt Walkers at ten of the Clock aforenoon 

22'^ Mr Houston was absent from Bedford and our Heifer took Bull 

.23<i John Jacobs Set 2 shoes on my Mares fore feet and Tho" Russ sent 
me 40 £ old Tenor on acct of part of his Note one 8 £ bill in the Money 
I scruple 

26"* In the morning my boys finished plowing my old field above the 
barn and I went to Capt Walkers to hold a Coiu-t between Gearfield and 
Chase but Gearfield did not appear and was defaulted by Discontinuing 
the Suit 

39'^ Mr Houston was absent from Bedford and went to John Smiths in 
Goffestown to hear Mr Emerson but he did not come and I came to the 
funeral of Capt Barrons son Eliseas in the Evening 

30'** I sent Jonas to Gearfields on an order from James Moor of Bedford 
for 8 bushell of Indian Corn but he got only 1 bushell of Indian and he 
sent one of Rie and I began to Mow at the Little Meadow in the New 
Cleared lot 

AUGUST 5'" 

Mr Houston was absent from Bedford and our Black Cow took Bull 
6^^ I stackt the hay on the New Cleared lott I had 30 cocks on it this 
year being the first year it was Mowed 

7th y\j-Q Stackt the Dispute lott and the spongs on Campbells I had 29 
Cocks in the Dispute lott and 6 in Campbells lott and there was a large 
shower and we came home in trhe afternoon and I swore James Caldwell 
& James Caldwell Junr each to an acct and I di*awed a Coppy of the Peti- 
tion on the acct of the fishing at Amosldeg faulls for Abraliam Meril 
S*'* my boys began to Reap Rie in the field by my brors 
9"* Thos Mathies began to Reap for me at Noon and Reaped on till 
Saterday Night being 2 days and }4 I had 10 Stooks and 10 sheaves of 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 141 

Winter Rie and 4 stooks and 6 Sheaves of Spring Rie in the field by 
uiy brors 

IS*'^ I went to James Mathies in Merrymac and got 1 % Gallon of Rum 
and 1^ a gallon of Molasses and 2 bashell of Indian Corn and pd him 12 £ 
old Tenor £6 for the Corn and 4-10-0 for the Rum and 1-4-0 for the 
Molasses and 6/ for % a bowl of tody and I sent Daniel Kenndall 12 £ 
old Tenor by Matthew Gibson and Tho" Mathies reaped for me I had the 
Corn gi-ound at Capt Chamberlins Mill and I had the Toal 

14"! Tho^ Mathies Reaped for me 

15'^ was a little rain in the morning and Tho^ Mathies went home and 
I went to Loudon : derry and Lodged at my mother in laws 

16"* Rob' Maciuurphy gave me a boar pig that weighed 39 £ and his 
wife gave a Churning of butter I suppose 3 £ and a Chees and Tho^ 
Mathies Reaped for me and I came home and I drawed a Complaint and 
Wart for Mrs Pi-ice against Mrs Hohiis for which and the Supeneas she 
paid me 5-4-0 old Tenor 

17"* I went to Capt Walkers to take some Depositions for John Gibson 
for which I gave him 2 summonses for Witnesses and a Notification to 
the adverse party on the 9th Instant remade up the case and I took none 
and in the Afternoon came on Tryal between Mrs Price and Mrs Holms 
I gave Judgement against Mrs Holms and she appealed and Tho" Mathies 
and his Wife Reaped for me 

19"* Jonas finished Reaping in the luorning I had 37 stooks and 3 sheaves 
in the field before the house all spring Rie and I Carted all in 

20"* I went to Hollis to try to get money from Abel Webster but got 
none 

21^* Abel Webster paid me in paper and Silver to the amount of 90 £ old 
Tenor and I sent my calf to Richard McAllesters to pasture 

22d I butchered a lamb that Weighed 30 £ of Meat 

23'' I mowed part of the day at the little meadow and had my dinner 
and a pewter pint bason and a Checked linnen handkirchief carried off & 
Elizth Patten came to spin at our house 

24"* I drawd an acct for George Addison against his fathers Estate and 
swore him to the acct unpaid 

25"* I paid Ensn Daniel Moor the bottle full of Rum I borrowed from him 
about the first of this month 

30"* I sent Joseph Farmer 5 peistereens and a 40 Shilling bill old Tenor 
and I sent Samuell Barnet forty pound old Tenor pr my John towards 
what I owe Them for what Grain I had off them 

SP*- Tho"* Maclaughlin helped me Mow at the little Meadow 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I sent Capt John Stark a Moidore by my John and I finished mowing at 
the Little meadow 

3'' I finished Rakeing hay all but one Cock at the little meadow I had in 
all at the meadow this year 205 Cocks the night before there came a frost 
that killed the Corn leaves and pumkin leaves and the night follo"\\ang 
a frost again but not so hard as the night before 



142 MATTHEW TATTEN's DTAEY. 

4*^ I butchered a Ewe that weighed 44 ?4 £ of meat and the boys aud I 
went to the Little meadow aud Stackt cue stack of 31 Cocks aud 13 Cocks 
of another 

5"^ I finished Stacking hay at the Little meadow 

6"^ I began to Mow at home 

7*'* I hunted bees at Samuell Pattersons place but got none 

8^'^ I got 2 bushell of Rie ground at Col Goifes 

9"» Mr Hoiiston was in Goffestown 

10"' I spent the day in drawing Widow Bells acct on her Late husbands 
Estate and Examining the claims on said Estate there has been frost every 
night since the 3d Instant except one which has done gi-eat Damage to the 
Indian Corn as *Ls Generaly supposed and Robt Liveingstou Cut 2 boars 
for me 

- 12"! I made a handle to Capt Walkers hand Saw it began to Rain the 
Night before aud rained all day and all the night following 

13"^ it still continued to rain in the morning and I finished wheting 
a hand saw for John Quig and I went up to Goffestown with Samuel 
Blodget and foimd the West Line of his Farm for which and a Coppy of 
a Vote and a plan of his Farm he gave me the value of a Dollar and 
3 pence over 

14"i In the Evening I went to Joseph McCartney and -svrit a deed from 
The'* Boies to McCartney & and acknowledged it aud a Deed from Joseph 
McCartney and his wife and William Addams of Chester and his wife 
and David Morrison of London : Derry and his mf e to James and John 
Boies The* Boies answers the writing one deed and Joseph McCartney 
gave nie his note for all the other writings being 3 £ old Tenor on Intrest 

15th William Holms and Mrs Price settled their affair and Holms paid 
the Costs the Charge amounted to £ -50-10-0 Holms gave me a Note for 
1(;_1(;_0 old Tenor for my part of the Charge on Intrest 

17th The night before and this morning was a great frost so that the 
ground was somewhat hard 

19^^ was a Training in Bedford aud I took in Supperscriptious to the 
Petition concerning the fishing at Namaskeg and I fined David Willson 
of London : derry for swearing one profane Oath in my hearing 

20"' I fined Robt MacNight lOV for a breach of the peace he paid 7 £ old 
Tenor to the officer and the Guard and the fine and I went to Mr Russes 
and. gave Capt John Stark an order on sd Russ f or 60 £ old Tenor and 
Russ accepted and Endorsed the order 

32'' I had lo^of of butter from Jeau Patterson toward hay that her 
husband is to have from me and Elizabeth Patten went home from Spin- 
ing she came here the 23d of last August and I sowed the bit of Corn 
ground before the Barn with Wheat aud I WTit a Deed from James 
Wallace to Gan Riddell of his place I charged 40/ Gan paid me 20/ and 
Wallace owes the other 20/ yet 

23'' Mr Houston assisted Mr MacGregore at his Sacrament 

24 & 25"' I assisted at makeing the Province and Ministers Rates at 
Matthew Littles our Expenses for these 2 days aud 1 day we were there 
this summer Renewing the Notes of the tax money came to 8-16-0 on the 
25tli I lent Eusn William Blair 2-5-0 old Tenor 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 143 

26'^ I recorded the province and ministers Rates and Warrants and I 
paid a peistereen for 2 pounds of hony to Jean Barnett for my mother 

27"^ I cleared up 8 bushell of Rie and 2 of Litchfield Selectmen came to 
treat 'with me about my laying out the road in Derryfield and Litchfield 
and I told them that if I got my money paid quick and without trouble 
I would take 4^4 Dollars but if not I would have as it was Taxed 

28"^ I plowed in the field SW of the Barn and I Cleaned up 8 bushell 
of Rie and a little more 

29"> I settled with Tho'^ Mathies for what he and his wife Reaped for 
me what he Reaped for me came to £ 16-5-0 and what his wife Reaped 
came to }4 ^ bushell of Rie and I paid him this day 3 bushell of Rie and I 
Cleaned up almost 2 bushell of rie so near that the odd quarts yesterday 
would make it wp 2 bushell 

30"' I heard Mr Wikens in Goffes town preach from the .22d of Revala- 
tions and 13th verse and Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 30'^ 1764 
OCTOBER FIRST 

I got a steel Trap from Samuell Caldwells uegroe of James Wallace 
which I am to have for my own on my likeing it for 2 Dollars with the 
Chain and I reed 18 £ old Tenor from Col Goffe toward fitting me out 
to go to Veiw the to^^^lship he is aboiit to get Above Coliass and an order 
on Col Baily for what other stores I need 

2^ 1 sowed between 8 and 9 bushell of Rie & some Wheat at the back of 
the hoiise and I reed An order from Robert Walker of Merrymac on 
Samuell Barnet of 4 +5 old Tenor toward a Writ and entry & Tiyal of 
a Case between him and his bror Tho^ 

3<i Matthew Little changed me two Dollars for 12 £ and I settled with 
James Patterson for m.y Expences with him and Lieut Little at Amosldeg 
last spring and I owe them above what fish I let them have 3 : 10 : old 
Tenor my whole Expence was 8 : 18 : and I gave them 27 shad a 4V each 
came to 5:8:0 and I writ an order to Jas Patterson on Robert Walker 
of Merrymac for the 3 : 10 : and I finished sowing Rie I have sowed 9 
bushell and about 26 Quarts yesterday and to day which is the whole of 
what Rie I have sowed this fall and I have sowed more than 3^ a bushell 
of Wheat this faull 

4"' I Carried a Web to my Cousen William Patten to be Wove and I 
proceeded to Boston and Rid all night 

6**^ I deeded away my Right in no 3 on Penobscot River to Samuell 
Treat of Boston Cooper for 25 Dollars and he paid me the money and I set 
out and came to Woburn and lodged at Mr Wymans over Sabath day 

7"' I heard Mr Shearman preach from the 11th of Mat : & 6th Verse & 
Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

S^^ I arrived home some time after midnight 

9"^ I got 6j'o £ of pork from Thos Boiess "wife att H a pistereen pr £ I 
paid her 8 pistereens and I owe her for }4 £ of pork yet 

10"' I got 3I2 bushell of Rie ground at Col Goffes mill and I had there 
one Jill of Rum & /^' a mug of Tody on Credit 



144 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

ll'h I atteuded the fuueral of William Wliits Juur Wife and I reed 
4^/ old Tenor from John Clerk for a prize Vv^'art and Advertisements I writ 
for William Nutt for a heifer Nutt pounded of Clerks and 40V old Tenor 
from Robert Kennedy being what he owed for some deeds that I put on 
Record for him 

12"^ I went to Londonderry and got ^-^ an ounce of Heiryspickery froiu 
Doctor Thornton and paid him 16^/ and I paid George Duncan all the 
taxes on the Right I owned in no 3 on Penobscut River being two Notes 
one of 46 £ old Tenor it was given at 7 £ pr Dollar and I paid it at 6 £ 
The note was for 6)^ dollars & 10"/ old Tenor it is to be laid before the 
Comtee and I got 100 of Nails from William Duncan and I paid 28V for 
them and I paid Col : Goffe for the ^^ bowle of tody and the Jill of Rum I 
had there on Credit on the 10th Instant. 

13 I spent in fitting to go to the woods which I intend Next Monday 

14th ]y[i. Houston was absent from Bedford 

15"^ I set out in Company with Deacon Robert Walker to go and Veiw 
a township above Cohass that Col : Goffe is geting and arived at Penuy- 
kook and lodged at Mrs Osgoods 

16'^ I lodged at Bowins at Bakers town 

18*'^ Arived at Plymouth 

25th s^Q ggf Q^i from Plymouth to go to Co : os and Campt over Bakers 
River and afterward was Informd that my Mother Departed this Life 
about Midnight after a Considerable Lingering Illness 

26"> It fell a Snow at Bakers River of 7 inches deep Exceeding wet and 
Solid and we built a Camp 

27"' my Mother was intered and we lay by 

28*'^ was Sabath day we lay by 

29th -^g proceeded on oiu" Journey in Company with Mr Locks famely 
and Campt at the 15 mile tree 

30th ^g arived at Co : os and lodged at Maj'' Topplins 

31^' arived at Col : Bayleys and tarried there untill the 7th of November 
in Which time we Made a Logg Canno 

NOVEMBER 7'>> 

set up Connecticut River 

10*'^ we arived at the mouth of Peezumsuck River and Searched the 
laud untill the 16th at Night 

17th The River was Froze so that we could not move our Canno & left 
her in the mouth of Peezumsuck River and Set out on foot for Co : os 

18"' arived at Col: Bayleys 

20"' Came to Maj"' Topplins and lodged there 

21'*t Set out for home and Campt at the 10 mile tree 

24"' arived at Plymouth and lodged at Ensn Hobarts Camp 

28"' Arived home about the middle of the day I was absent 6 weeks and 
3 days we spent about a week in Hunting and we Catched 5 Beaver and a 
Sapple while I was at Peezumsuck River I sold my Traps to John Lahhe 
for a Gun and a pair of Silver Buckles and papuss Beaver skin which 
I got and took his note of hand for 12 saple skins on their face value in 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 145 

money to be paid ou demand with Iiitrest at 10 pr Cent pt annum untill 
pd Which note I left with Maj"^ Toplin of Co : os to Receive for me when 
Lahhe came in our Entertainment at Col : Bayleys and what Provisions 
we Carried out with ns came to 2-3-6 Lawfull money being 7X Dollars 
which he advanced to us on an order from Col : Goffe which acct was 
Settled and Signed a Receipt on the back of the order to the amount of 
2:2:0 Lawfull money and brot a bill from under his hand of the Charge 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I carried some worsted and Woolen yearn to Mrs Marston in Derryfield 
to be Wove Which she promised to Weave in 5 weeks and I got 14 £ of 
Tallow from James Patterson I am to have it at the price it is at Boston & 
I got a worm for my Gun from John Gillmor which he gave me 

3'^ Returned Col : Goffe his Gun that I had out into Woods and Spent 
the day Waiting on him concerning the Discovery we made of the Town- 
ship we went to Veiw 

4 & 5"! I spent at the Raising of David McClures Barn 

6"^ I Cleaned almost 3 bushell of Rie 

7"» I got it Ground at Blaisdells Mill 

8^'^ I Got 3 bushell of Pottatoes from Thomas Boies on Credit 

10"^ I got 10 Tile from Deacon Walker and some broken Brick on Credit 

11'^ I laid the bottom of our Oven' 

13'*^ & 14"^ I got 2 pots mended -svith Each a foot & a beal and my mare 
shod the whole Charges came to 4 : 10 : old Tenor with Daniel Moor 

15"^ I got one bushell of Potatoes from Thos Boies on Credit 

17 1 mended at our Windows and set the Glass in a new frame & sashes 
for the back side bed Room 

18"' Deacon Walker & I Divided our fur I got 5}( £ of Beaver and 
the Deacon got 4)^ and one ounce I had 11 ounces more than him and 
ballanced What Stores we carried into the woods and what money we paid 
out ou our Journey and I had paid 1 : 19 : 8 more than the Deacon beside 
about 2}4 pound of pork I carried from home 

19'^ I borrowed a large Trea heaped full of Rie Meal from Pattersons 
folk and I got 3 bushell of of potatoes from Thomas Boies on Credit the 
night following it snowed a deep snow it has snowed about every other 
day for a Considerable time 

20"* I spent the day on Examining James Little and William Holms on 
their Constableships at Matthew Littles and Mr Houston had desired to 
be with us & altho we sent him word he did not attend and we appointed 
to meet next Wednesday being the 26th and sent Mr Houston word and 
Jonas Cleaned up 5% biishell of Rie 

21'*' I went to Blasdells Mill and Carried 2 bushell of Rie and almost }4 
a bushell of Wheat and had it Ground 

22'! I carried 3)^' bushell of Rie to Blasdells Mill but did not get it 
ground 

24"! I went to Mill and got the Rie I took to Mill on the 22'^ Ground 
and I gave Col Goffe the Commission for Examining the Claims on John 
Bells estate to send down to have it lengthed out 
10 



146 MATTHKW patten's DIAIIY. 

25"' I had ahorse from Col : Goffe and went to Londonderry to my 
Mother in laws 

2(5"' Was a Violent Storm of snow from the N : E : and I lay by 

27"' I Came to Widow Duncans and I p^ot % of a pound of Tea 'o Do. of 
Coffi{! 5 Do of Shu^ar & % ounce of snuff on Credit it came to 7 : 3 : old 
Tenor and came home in the Evening 

28"' I got an Ax from Daniel Moor and John Gillnior that they laid for 
me and I paid Matthew Littles wife a pound of Shugar that my mfe 
borrowed when I was in Derry on the 25"' 

2i)"' W^as a great Storm of Snow 

JANUARY FIRST 17fi5 

on the 2'^ we broke the way to the Little Meadow the snow is more than 
two feet deep and on the first I Carried an iVx to Daniel Moor and Jolm 
Gillmor to be laid 

4"' & 5"' John Kidder had Jonas and my oxen helping him home with 
Hay from the Little meadow on the 4"' I butchered our spotted Hog he 
weighed 7 score 

7"' In the Evening my wife was taken witli Travail pains so that she 
slept but little the night following 

8"' She Continued in pains and I got 5 Quarts & a Jill of Rum from 
Matthew Little the Night following my wife was in sharp pains all Night 
so that she could not ly in bed 

9"' in the forenoon I gathered the Woman and about foiu* of the Clock 
in the afternoon she was Delivered of a Man Child by Deacon Gillmors 
wife as Midwife and Esther Patterson & Hannah Davis sit up with the 
Child the Night following 

10"' Sarah McCurdy came to our house to wait on my Wife and Eliz"' 
Moor and Margret Gillmoor Sit up with the Child the Night following 

11"' I got 2 Qxiarts of Rum from Matthew Little and I went to Widow 
Duncans and got 5 Quarts of Mollasses and a pound of Coffie % of a 
pound of tea and 5 pound of Shugar and 6 pound of Rice on Credit 



on the 7th I attended a meeting at Matthew Littles of the subscribers 
for the township Deacon Walker and I was out this fauU a Veiwing and 
I got an ax that Daniel Moor and John Gillmor Laid for me 

14"' I went to Mr Marstins and got 12'\^' yards of Cloath his wife wove 
for us and I paid her 4-19-0 for weaveing it and 8V old Tenor over that 
she could not give me for want of Change 

1()"' I went to Widow Dunc^ans and got 5 Quarts of Mollasses and a 
Gallon of Rum and 12 Dearning needles on Credit before this John 
Kidder went 4 Days to the meadow for me one day he brot 2 load 

17 & 18"' I brot a load of Hay from the Meadow the Night following 
the 18th it fell a snow of about 7 inches deep 

19"' It drifted vilolently 

21'*' I brot a load of hay from the little meadow 

22 23 24 & 25"' I brot a load of hav each dav from the Meadow 



MA.TTHEW patten's DIARY. 14T 

Se*!^ I brot 2 Load of hay from the Meadow 

28"^ I brot 2 Load of hay from the Meadow which finished I had 16 
Load and a Stack I let Samuell Patterson have of about a Tun and a half 
in it 

29"> I held a Court at Matthew Littles Wherein John Combs of Merri- 
mac was Compt and Brag Wilkins of Amherst was Respondant I took a 
note of Capt Read and Lient Anch-ew Bradford for my fees being 2:9:0 
new Tenor 

30"i I bot a Bushell of Rie from Samiiell Moor and I paid him 1-15-7 
Bay old Tenor toward it 

3P' Jonas got the Rie from Samuell Moor that I bot yesterday and he 
Ground it and I had the Toal for pay 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I put the handle into an ax for John Kidder and he Cut wood for me 
the while I was doing it and I let Maj Moors son Abraham have one half 
of a Raw Cow hide to string snow shoes to be Settled off in what I owe 
the Maj'' 

4 & 5"^ I strung my Snow Shoes with new Stringing of the other half 
of my Cows skin and I filled an old pair of Bow of Daniel MacMurphys 
for my boys 

6th I -vvent to John Orrs in Goffes town and got a bushell of Rie from 
him I had put a deed on Record for him and we are to settle the matter 
afterwards 

7"' I spent the day at Matthew Littles Examining Richard McAllester 
on his Constableship and with Mr Houston and James Little on his 
Constableship 

gth I went to Ml- Russes and Reed 40-2-0 old Tenor on his note 

gth I "vvent to "Widow Duncans and got 5 Quarts of Molasses 1 pound of 
Coffie 5 pounds of Shugar and a Quire of Paper on Credit they amounted , 
to 9-7-6 old Tenor 

11"* Nathaniel Patterson sowed on a pair of soles on a pan- of pumps 

12"' I went to Maj'' Moors in order to pay him some money he was mll- 
ing to take his money from Abel Webster and I left his note with Maj 
Moor and a line to have him pay the Maj' the money and I tarried at 
Deacon Cochranes over night 

13*'' I bot 4 bushell of Rie from Deacon Cochrane and I pd him 17 £ old 
Tenor and half a Dollar in Silver for it and I sent James Little an 
Almanack 

14"' I got 2 hatts from Deacon William Moore which he brot from Mr 
Nehemiah Rand one of them was Clear Beaver the other was Mixed with 
rakoon 

18"' I sett out to go to Nottingham West to run round the town to find 
the Centre 

27"' I finished the busness 

28"' I got £ 15 of Twine from Mr Gordons shopkeeper a 19/6 pr £ and 
I gave my Note for the money being 1-9-3 Sterling money of Great 
Britan to be paid the first of July with Intrest but if it is paid by the 



148 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

time it is to pay none and I came to Litchfield and tarried at Lieut John 
Parkers 

MARCH FIRST 

I run lines Dividing the Estate between Lieut Parker and his bror 
Alexander for which Alex gave me 3 £ and I would not take anything 
from the Lieut and tarried at the Lieuts that night 

2'i I came home 

4"^ I went to Litchfield to get Grain and Lodged at William Pattersons 

5"^ I got 12 bushell of Indian Corn from William Patterson on Credit 
and I got 4)^ bushell of Rie and )^ a bushell of Indian Corn from Jacob 
Heldreth and I had the Toal of the 13 bushell I had from Patterson and 
Heldreth let me have 6 quarts to make iip the Toal of the 12 bushell 
a bushell for the Rie and Indian I had from Heldreth I pd him 2S-10-0 
old Tenor and what grain I had from Heldreth he took no Toal and 
I swore him to 3 accts and I ^^Tit the Caption and I took nothing from him 
for them and Patterson and Lieut Parker and Gibsons son helped me to 
Lieut Reads with the Meal with their Horses and Lieut Parker got his 
brors Alexanders horse and I got a bushell of Peas from Sam" Gibson on 
his sons Johns acct for what service I did for him last summer in his 
Case with Mr Bradford and Jonas brot my Team & met me at Reads 
ferry and I got it all home 

()"' I had William Barnetts mare and took her as far as Rob* Alexanders 
and then got Lieut Reads mare and went and got two bushell of mishlin 
from William Patterson that he got from Gibson and I got it ground at 
Heldreths and I had the Toal for swearing him to an acct and I paid him 
for half a bushell of Rie that I could not bring away and Patterson owes 
me half a bushell of mishlin on Gibsons acct & Patterson paid Gibson 
Two Dollars for the 2 Bushell and a half of Mishlin and I got 2 bushell of 
Rie from Lieut Read on Esq Underwoods acct and I paid Esq'' Underwood 
a Dollar towards it and I owe him four pounds of it yet and brot the Meal 
and Rie home and had a ewe lamb in the Evening 

In the night of the 7th we had a ewe lambd we see it morning of the 
8th 

10"' In the morning we had 2 lambs 

11'^ I bot 21^ £ of butter from James Little he gave in the % and 
charged 21 £ and I paid him 10 V Bay old Tenor while I was at Notting- 
ham my wife got 1% £ of Butter from James Little and she gave him 
50V old Tenor he gave in the 34 and we had a Ewe lambd 

12"^ In the morning we had a ewe lambd 

14"' John McConohee paid me up the remainder of his note for the 
Meadow lot in the Ash Swamp being a Dollar and 10'/ old Tenor towards 
the Intrest and he gave his note for 3 £ old Tenor being the remainder of 
the Intrest 

15"' I pd James Moor 2-12-6 Bay old Tenor for a bushell of Rie and a 
"biishell of Corn I had from Nathaniel Gearfield on liis acct last Summer 
& I ^vrit Giffins advertisement & a ewe lambd & it died 

Ifi"' I got 3 £ of shugar from Matthew Little and I had a pound this 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 149 

week before and I attended the funeral of Deacon Walkers Daughter 
Sarah 

IS"' I got 1% bushell of Potatoes from Matthew Little and a bushell 
from Deacon Gilhnoor the day before viz 17'^ on Sabathday we had a Ewe 
lamb 

19"i I run lines for Deacon Smith and Matthew McDuffee The most of 
the remainder of this week I knit at the Fly net and ^vriting a letter to 
Mr Houston for the Selectmen 

34"» There fell a Snow about 13 or 14 inches deep and Very solid the 
snow was Very wet 

25"' We had a Ewe lambd in the night before and she had no milk for 
it and we fed it with Eggs and a little milk we got from the other Ewes 
untill the next day and the Ewe had no appearance of milk 

26"' We gave it to Ensign Tho** MacLaughlin 

27'^ was the annual March meeting and I was chose 1st Selectman and 
town Clerk and one of the Fence Veiwers and prizers of Damages and to 
take K of the Invoice The Remainder of the week I spent in Avritiug 

APRIL FIRST 

I spent the afternoon on Examining the claims on John Bells Estate 

2'i I attended the meeting of the new Township and I gave an order to 
the Treasurer for Fergus Kennedy Tho'^ Boies William Barnet and 
Matthew Little that I had reed the Dollar and a half from Each of them 
and I reed a Johanna in money on acct of my being out last faull 

S"! I with the other Selectmen laid out a highway from Strawbury hill 
road between John MacLaughlins and John Bells and continued east to 
the southeast corner of my place where I live and attended the March 
Meeting by adjournment' and after the meeting was over we met at John 
Bells and drawed the Surveyors Warts our Expences Was £ 3 old Tenor 
on this days busness to John Bell 

5"' was the Province Fast Mr Houston preacht one Sermon as I heard 
and I gave Widow Mathies an order on Francis Baruett for a bushell of 
Rie 

6'h I began to Plow and in the afternoon and I went and run round Tho» 
Maclaughhns place where he lives for his Mowing a day for me last hay 
time in the Little Meadow and I writ a letter to Mr Houston to let him 
know how many Sabbathdays the town had voted him away the Ensuing 
year 

7"' Sabathday I sent Mr Houston a line to inform him how many 
Sabathdays the town had Voted him away the Ensuing year by my brors 
daughter Elizabeth 

8"' I began a contrivance to make Ropes for our fly net and in the after- 
noon I attended on examining the Claims to John Bells Estate 

Qth I ^y^it a Summons for John Bell for seven evidences on acct of his 
fathers Estate and I sowed about 14 quarts of peas 

lO"' I had Richard McAlesters horse and I went to Litchfield and I got 
nine or ten Quarts of wheat and a peck of Barly and a bushell of Peas 



150 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

from Jolm Qiiig and I left a Johanna with, him to pay for it and to buy a 
bushell of peas for Richard McAlester he sent a dollar with me for that 
end and I got half a bushell of Early from Gibson and I could not pay for 
it for want of change 

11"^ I went to my bror in laws Alexander MacMiu-phys and lodged 
there that night 

12"^ I came and they gave me a mess of Ells and a Sucker that was 
catched in their wear and a boiling or two of Pork and Alexander 
McColum brot a pah- of shoes for Jonas that Archibald Macmm-phy made 

13"^ I went to Jos Wallace to try to get him for Alexander Macmui-phy 
and I took some part of the Invoice and I sowed the remainder of my peas 
and 59 Quarts of wheat in the cow yard 

lo*'i & 16"^ I spent in Examination of the Claims to John Bells Estate 

17"^ I took up the remainder of my apple trees at Clogstons and I got 11 
Plum trees from Capt Walker and I settled with John Roby on his note 
and I alowed his daughter Lydas wages out of the note and he is to give 
me half a bushell of Peas or the Value of them in other grain and he paid 
me £ 12 old Tenor and I took his note for the remainder of what he owes 
me the price of the Peas is put into the note 

18"^ Our heifer Calved in the afternoon toward night 

19'^^ I went to Goffestowu to measure a peice of land that 2 man for Mr 
Sam^' Blodget and lodged at Tho^ Karr Jun' 

20*'' I finished measuring it and I charged £ 3 Bay old Tenor and Foster 
one of the men pd me £ 1-10-0 the }/2 of it and Tweed the other of them 
owes me the other half yet and I went to the Ceder swamp and cut a fish- 
ing pole and brot it hom 

21**' Mr Houston was at New Boston 

23'! I had Capt Goffes mare and I went to Robt Ushars and I got 5 
Quarts of Molasses from his Wife and I am to pay it in ashes and from 
there I went to Litchfield and I got )^ a bushell of Feed Corn from Will- 
iam Patterson and some quarts of beans which he gave me and I got }4 ^ 
bushell of Mishlin on Sam" Gibsons acct that he was paid for in the win- 
ter and I got the )< bushell of Rie from Heldreth that I bot of him last 
March and he let me have ^^ a bushell of Rie more and I pd him 19^/ in 
silver for it and I had the toal of the ^o bushell of mishlin and I pd 2 
copers for it and Lieut Read gave me a Quart of Wheat to sow and I paid 
Quig a dollar toward the peas and Wheat and barly I had of him 

24*11 I got 4 bushell of potatoes from Tho'* Boies and I paid him 3 dollars 
in the new township affair and I owe £ 4 old Tenor of all the potatoes 
I have had from him this year The whole of what potatoes I had from 
him is 11 bushell came to £ 22 old Tenor and I had William Barnetts 
mare and brot the 4 bushell home and I swore Will'" Barnett to an acct 
and I got something more than }4 a bushell of Turnips from Lieut Moors 
■wife to set out 

25*'' I went to the farm between and new boston and I brot home the 
Nursery I sowed there to set out at home 

26"' I sowed 6 quart pot fulls of wheat and a little more by the Well and 
I planted out the Nursery and I paid Elizabeth Patten 1-7-6 Bay old 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 151 

Tenor Toward her Spining for iis last faiil or Suramer alid I gave William 
McChire a Writ agaiust Cox of Dunstable to be tryecl the 13th of May 

37"^ I borrowed a pair of half Soles from James Patterson and I got 
Nathaniel Patterson to Sow them on and Jonas workt in his room while 
he was doing it 

29"' I had Matthew Littles horse and I went to Litchfield and I paid 
William Patterson 3 dollars toward what I owe him and he gave me an 
order on Widow Russell for a peck of spring wheat which I got and he 
gave me 2 quarts of flaxseed and Harveys wife gave me a quart and 
Whitimore a quart and John Butterfield a quart and Betty Gibson a 
quart and Quig I siippose near 2 quarts and John Parker a quart and I 
came home by the way of Col Goffes \y' 

MAY FIRST 

I sowed a peck of Wheat by the Well and in the Garden and some 
Barley in the garden and James Patterson gave me 2 quarts of flaxseed 
and Lieut Moors wife gave me 2 Quarts and Deacon Gillmors wife gave 
me almost 2 Quarts more there fell a fine rain the ground is well refreshed 
it has been very dry for some time by past & I pd Lieut Moor 40V of the 
Province rates 

2"! I took some of the' Invoice and I got between 2 and 3 quarts of flax- 
seed from Richard McAlester 

S"! the Selectmen reed the preceipt for Amherst and Bedford to Chuse a 
Representative and I di-awed the Wart for Bedford Constable for a meet- 
ing for end to meet at Ensn Daniel Moors barn on Monday the 20th 
Instant at 10 of the Clock forenoon 

4th I carried the Wart to the Constable 

5"' Mr Houston was in Goffestown 

6*'i Daniel Moor made 2 plow plates the one was of my iron and the 
other of his his weighed 1)^ & 3 ounces the charge is 83/ old Tenor 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MAY 6 1765 

7th jyjy boys and I went to the little meadow and pickt up the Stuff that 
was fell down and mended some at the fence 

8**^ I gave Alex' Orr a Writ against George Cowan 

9 & 10'** I had John McLaughlin Juniors and John Kidders Oxen and 
I plowed the Grass ground above the Barn on the 9th our black Cow 
Calved 

11"^ I finished plowing in the morning and I had John Clogstous mare 
to mill I cleaned up the 2 bushell of Rie I had of Lieut Read last March 
and there was only \% bushell and 10 Quarts and about the 3d of a Quart 
which I took to mill today and John Kidder had Jonas and my oxen more 
than half the day helping him break up 

13"* John Kidder helped me the forenoon and the bigest part of the 
afternoon a planting potatoes & in the afternoon I determined a Case 
between William McClui-e and William Cox they afterwards agreed the 
Case and Cox pd me half the Cost which was 6 pound and McClure 
owes me £ 5-8-0 of the other half he found the writ blank for which I 



152 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

alowed him 13/ liis half was £ 6 also and Mr Cox brot me a Gridtrou that 
he made for me toward m^y being at Dunstable Ruuiug the Lines for 
him in the Controversie between him and Jos Aejrs when the refferies 
determined their affair 

14"^ Jonas and my Oxen helped John Kidder the forenoon and I had his 
oxen in the afternoon and I got 4 pound of hogs fat from Gan Riddell for 
which I pd him 18V Bay old Tenor 

15 & 16"^ I had the Rose on my left Leg and I sweat the loth and Jonas 
had Kidders Oxen and Harrowed the Grass ground I plowed up with 
Pattersons Harrow and on the 16th Kidder had my oxen the afternoon 
Harrowing his new land 

IT'i^ I sowed about 183^ Quarts pot fulls of flaxseed and about 4 quarts 
of Early on our last years Potatoe land and the boys began to Plant Corn 
and this day I did nothing but sowing by reason of my indisposition about 
these days I finished Kniting the fly net weighing about £ 15 of Twine 
and will hang about 92 feet in the Ropes it is in 2 parts 

IS*'^ I butchered the black Cows Calf it weighed £ 34 and I fitted up 
a Pole and bow and I went to Amoskeig Falls and Thos Karr Junior gave 
me a Shad and I left my net in Calys old house 

19th Mr Houston was at New boston 

20"^ I writ a deed from Lieut Moor to Thos Murdough of the half of 
Esqiiire Savages Right & I took the acknowledgement al unpd and I 
attended on a Meeting of Amherst and Bedford to Chuse a Representative 
and was chose Moderator and they elected and made choice of Col John 
Goffe Esqr to Represent said towns in the General Assembly he had 59 
Votes and there was 24 for Capt Barron 2 of the 24 was not good and were 
put in by James Lyon and John Gillmor 

21"' I held a Court between Alex'' Orr Plant and George Cowan Deft 
the Case is Continued untill Tuesday the 11th of June next and I went to 
the Falls and I catched 4 Shad and I gave Rob' Ushar a prize Wart for a 
mare he had pounded and di-awed a Notification for the sale I charged 40V 
old Tenor unpaid it was done at James Cowens Request and Sent by him 
to iishar 

22t' I got a peck of flaxseed from Rob' Walker and I am to pay Richard 
Mc Alester for it and I got £ 4 of hog fat from Tho** Boies Wife and I pd 
her 18V in Bay old Tenor for it and I paid her % Bay old Tenor for half 
a pound of pork I did not pay her for When I got some pork from her last 
fauU 

23'^ I finished drawing a Complaint and Warrant for John Martain 
against Abrham Johnson for an assault and Battery charged £ 5 old Tenor 
unpaid and I went to the fauUs and I catched 29 shad and got them 
home Rob' Walkers boy brot them on his mare to Francis Barnett and 
the boys Carried them from there 

24"! I carried a peck of flaxseed to Tho** Halls for Alexander MacMurphy 
I had it from Rob' Walker and I went to the fauUs and I catched 40 shad 
and I had 10 of them Stole that Night 

25"^ John brot home 58 shad on my brors mare and Richard McAlesters 
boy brot home 69 Shad and I brot home 6 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 153 

27 28 & 29«h I got home 140 and in these 3 days I brot 2 bushells and 
20 Quarts of Salt for which I gave 90 Shad 

30* I went to Amherst and took a number of Depositions for Samuell 
Gray against Solomon Hutchinson and I took his and Col Shepards note 
for £1:7:0 Sterling for my Service 

3P' I came home and jonas got home 20 shad and £ 12 of Salmon he had 
30 shad but I paid Ebe"" Johnson 10 that I borrowed from him on the 29th 

JUNE FIRST 

I got 20 shad 

S^ I catched 13 shad and I got 10 shad from John McConoughy towards 
his Note 

4* I went Amoskeig falls and Col Goffe and I finished the list of Claims 
of John Bells Estate and attested to it before justice Walker and I reed 
the Value of 30V of Silver money from Tho^ Karr Juu' for Tweeds part of 
my surveying the laud he and Foster cleard on Blodgetts farm and I gave 
him the plan and I reed 4-16-0 old Tenor for the Compt & "Wart that I 
drawed for John Martain against Abraham Johnson and I pd Lieut Pate 
3-12-0 old Tenor for 3 pounds of Tobacca and some Expences I was at his 
•house some years ago 

6 7 & 8"> I fished at Amoskeig falls and with what I got before made 
433 shad with the 10 I had off John McConoughy 

9''^ was Sacrament in Bedford 

10th I fished at the falls and got 38 shad 

11th Went to Matthew Littles to hold a Court between Alex"^ Orr Plant 
and Geroge Cowen Deft and Continued the case till next Monday at ten 
of the Clock a forenoon and I went to John Bells and Writ a Deed from 
Rob' Giffin to Sam" & John McConoughy and notes. &c and charged 
Giffin 20V and McConoughys 28V and John paid me a pistereen and Giffins 
part unpd 

12th J got 9 shad 

13th I and the rest of the Selectmen spent in drawing Warts to the 
surveys of Highways to repair Piscataquog Bridge and about jenny Cons 
Child 

14th I carried McDuffie his Wart and and sent Ens^^ Moor his by my 
bror Sam" and in the afternoon I went to Mr Russes to meet the partners 
of the place called the Gallos we settled the charge was £ 85-10-0 old 
Tenor came to £ 9-10-0 each old Tenor and I am to pay my part to Moses 
Sentar and I tarried at Mr Russes over night at free cost 

IS'h before I came away I Acknowledged a Deed for Mr Russ which he 
gave his son james and I Writ an Acquitance from him to his fathers 
Estate and Acknowledged it and would take no pay because he keept me 
over night at free cost and I came and fished at our new seting place in 
Company with Stillson Eastman for Sam" Richards and I got 8 shad and 
half a salmon and 3 shad I got the Evening before and one before I Joyud 
with Eastman made 12 in all 

17'h I Attended to hold a Court by adjournment between Alex' Orr and 
George Cowen it was to held by at ten of the Clock in the forenoon and 



154 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

we waited till near two o Clock and tlieii called the case and Orr not 
appearing was Defaulted and I got Mathew Littles horse to go to Haver- 
hill for grain and I went and lodged at my Mother McMiirphys 

18"^ I went to Haverhill and hot 8 bushell of Corn from Osgoods man 
and filled it into 4 bags and I brot 4 bushell of it away and I left 4 bushell 
of it there in two bags and I came and lodged at my Mother McMurphys 

19"i I came to Alex'' McMurphys and he gTound the 4 bushell and I 
came home 

20* I filled 6 blank Deeds for Capt Karr and went to meet him to 
Piscataquog bridge according to appointment but he did not come and 
I went to the Falls and brot home my two long Net poles home 

21'*' James Patterson & I began to bore in the Rock between the Pulpit 
and Sullivans point to make a place to fish we Drilled one hole of 20 inches 
Deep next to the Pulpit and another toward the point of near 4 our 
Expences was lOV old Tenor we had John Gillmors Drill and hand hanier 
and we was 2V old Tenor of f erriag at Halls 

22<^ James Patterson and I went to work at the same place at Amoskeig 
we borrowed a hornfull of Powder from Deacon Gillmor and we borrowed 
a Drinking glass almost full of powder from the Company that was blow- 
ing on the East side (viz) Sani^i Dickey and Com. and we made a fine 
blast on the point below the pulpit our Expences was lOV and 1 V for 
ferriage 

23'^ oiu- Heifer took Bull with Math^" Littles bull and Mr Houston was 
at New boston 

24*'! I went to Deacon Walkers and we drawed our acct of oiu- being out 
last faull to lay before the Comtee and I sent by james Patterson to 
Boston for several Articles and sent ooV Bay old Tenor and £5% of 
Beaver 

25*'! I spent the day for John Bell in Drawing his administration acct 
and other -svi-itings relating to it all day and I got a jDair of pinus that 
Samuel Patterson made for me and some Cabage plants from John Bell 

26* our black Cow took Bull with Math^^' Littles Bull and I got a large 
boil of ash in the west end of the School lotts to make a dish 

28 & 29* I went up to Goffestown and Measured the land that Elexr 
Wells sold to Sam^i Huse for which he gave me a Dollar for it and I ■\\Tit 
the Deed from Wells to Huse & acknowledged it for which Huse gave me 
lOV old ten'' and I lay at Aaron Wells and on the 29th I run lines awhile 
for Eleazr Wells and I acknowledged a Deed for him and another for 
Moses Wells for which they paid me 39/s old Ten' and I acknowledged 
another for Elear for which he paid me 20/s and I measured a peice of 
land that John Ordway sold to Mr Rowel aiid did some toward Dividing 
the lot Rowel lives on between him and Capt Wells for which he gave me 
a bushell of Meal and }£ a Peistereen and I came home in the Evening 
and Moses Wells boy brot the meal as far as Deacon Gilhnors 

JULY FIRST 

I went into woods and I got a knot for a dish and Stuff for 3 Treas of 
Poplar & for 4 Scoop net bows and fell two White Ash trees 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 155 

2'' I made tlie bows and one Trea and I went along witli John Bell to 
Spaldiugs in Merryinac to assist him against his Mother Bell who pros- 
ecuted him for lying on her we tarried all night but got no sleep and 
I got home after Sun rise 

3'^ I got John McLaughlin jimrs Horse and I went to Londonderry and 
I brot home the 4 bushell of corn I left in Haverhill on the 18th of jime 
last Rob* McMurphys John brot it to their house and he ground it and 
I left 2 bags and 6:6:0 Mass old Tenor with him to send to Haverhill to 
buy Corn for me and james Patterson brot me 2 hats from Mr Nehemiah 
Rand and he paid him 3 dollars and he brot me X pound of Rice }^ £ of 
peper a quire of paper a bottle of snuff 1)2 £ of powder and 3 £ of shot 
the Beaver I sent brot 11 £ Bay old Tenor and 55/s Bay old Tenor I sent 
by him in cash Which money bot the several Ai'ticles and the Dollar he 
paid Mr Rand and 2/9 Bay old Tenor over 

4'^^ I paid James Vose the bushell of Meal that I borrowed of him on the 
25th of last may and I married John Vickere & Hannah Davis 

5th I -^^Tit a Deed from old Mr Vickere to his two daughters viz Phebe 
Vose and Hannah Vickere I charged 40/s old Tenor unpaid and I writ a 
deed from Math^^' to Maj' White of No 13 in the 4"^ rang sold for Tax 
May 1^' 1759 and Capt Lovewell came and Summoned me to appear at 
Mathies in the afternoon and I got my brors mare and went there and 
tarried all night The case was between Elnathan Blood Compt & Abel 
Webster Respt they agreed the affair a little before the break of Day 

6"^ I came home about 9 a Clock in the morning I gave in my fees to 
be Cleared in the house and in the afternoon I attended at Math^''' Littles 
on the Comitee for Examining Deacon Walkers and my Accts of our being 
out last fauU and I took the aclaiowledgement of the Deed I \\T.'it the day 
before from Math«' Little to Maj'' White 

7*^ Mr Houston was in Goffestown 

9'^^ I finished makeing thi-ee Rakes for John Thomas and I finished 
makeing a little Trea 

10*'' I went to Litchfield and attested before justice Underwood that the 
Claims to John Bells Estate was returned in old Tenor to the judge 

11*'^ I helped to lay a Hair Rope for our fly nett I found the hair ready 
teazed and james Patterson and Thomas McLaughlin Span it and helped 
to lay it it was 24 yards long I fitted considerable at the Corks 

12"' I turned at the Corks about % of the day and about the Middle 
of the afternoon I went to Capt John Moors Barn Raising 

13"^ I worked about }-2 the day and finished the Corks being 54 in Num- 
ber and I drawed a journal of Deacon Walkers and my journey to an at 
Peezumsuck last fall and tended on a Comittee to Examin our accts but 
we could not agree two of them would at length have alowed £ 150 Each 
old Tenor and found our Selves which we refused 

14tii yij. True preached in Bedford for Mr Houston and he preached for 
Mr True 

15"' the night before we had our heifer ly out alone she came to the 
cattle about 1 1 o Clock in the forenoon 

16"' I pd John Bell 6 sheets of paper I borrowed from him this Summer 



156 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

and I Married Dr Beuj Tiffeuy and Sarah Karr in the Evening and in the 
day I fell a White Ash beyond the meeting house and yesterday & today 
I got Stuff home for five Treas 

l?!^*^ James Patterson and Tho^ Maclaughlin and I Tyd on our fly net 
as far as we had rop 

18"^ I had John MacLaughlins horse and I went to Rob' McMurphys 
and got 4 bushell of Corn that his John brot from Haverhill for me I left 
the bags and £ G-6-0 Bay old Tenor on the 3d Instant with Rob' to buy it 
and I left £ 5-15-0 Bay old Tenor and two bags with his wife to send to 
Haverhill for 4 bushell of corn more and I brot the corn to Alex'' McMur- 
phys and tarried over night 

19"' I helped him at framing his Mill and getting some sticks out of the 
pond and he ground the Corn and I came home in the Evening 

22<i I made 6 Corks and helped with Tho^ McLaughlin near % the day 
in finishing hanging our fly net and I went to Matthew Littles to settle 
with John Little and James Patterson for my Expences at Amoskeig this 
Spring and I was £1-16-0 old Tenor in their book and altho I settled with 
Jas Patterson for my last years Expences it was not Crost out till this day 
I got it done 

23 & 24'^ I made at some Treas and on the 24th I sent Joseph Farmer 
the 7 £ I owed him for Rie I had from him fall was a year by my John 
I purpose to alow him for waiting for it 

25"' I with the other Selectmen Examined William Holms on his 
Constableship for the year 1762 and he Rendered acct of his whole Col- 
lections except 4-13-0 old Tenor for which he gave his Note and we gave 
him an acquitauce and we signed over his note to Mr Houston and 
Examined Richard MacAllester on his Constableship for the year 1763 
and found he has paid to the Selectmens order 160-2-3 and to Mr Houston 
-667-13-0 and the province Rates being 901-9-0 being in the whole 
1729-4-3 and there remains due of his Lists 402-5-0 

26"' I recorded the March meeting Wart & Votes and the Sherriffs Writ 
and Wart for a meeting on it and the Votes of the meeting 

27"' I was out of Case and got Sweat 

28* Mr Houston was in Derryfield 

29* I went as far as Mr Halls to go and see Capt Karr but heard he 
was not at home and returned home 

30* wTit him a letter 

31st I ^q\^^ Capt Walker to go to Capt Karrs for me and see if he would 
come to any agreement with me who carried the Letter I A\Tit him yester- 
day and jouas went to work for Capt Walker for his going for me to Capt 
Karrs and we began to reap the Barly between and the barn 

AUGUST 

1^' I began to mow at the little meadow 

2'! My bror Sam" went oiit without my knowledge to borrow money for 
me to pay Capt Karr he got the promise of 70 or 80 dollars in two months 

3'i I sent a letter to Capt Karr by my John and I had one pair of james 
Pattersons oxen and Kidders oxen helping me to draw fenceing Stuff for 



isrATTHEW patten's diaey. 157 

a Cow yard fence and I ^^Tit a Wart for a town meeting to be held the 
16th Instant at 2 of the Clock in the afternoon 

5th I g.Qt, a quart and half a pint of Rnni from John Bell and I and jonas 
mowed in the Burnt lot and Raked up 13 Cocks and John shaked out and 
helped Rake 

5th gth 7th & gth Workt at getiug hay cheifly at the Little Meadow and 
finished reaping what Winter Wheat we had there was 7 Stooks of it 

9'h I had Gan Riddells mare and went to Rob' McMurphys and lodged 
all night there he sent the money and the bags (that I left with his wife 
on the ISth of July last) with Major Tolford to Haverhill & he bot 4 
bushell of Corn for me and got it brot to Capt Littles and Rob' MacMurphy 
sent his son Rob' for it and brot it to his house 

10"^ he sent his Son Wm with me to Cannada to help me along with it 
and I got it ground at Col Goffes and my boys finished Reaping our 
Barly and got it and the Flax into the barn we had between 3 & 4 stooks 
of barly and I finished Reaping the Spring Wheat in the Cow yard there 
was 3 Stooks and 3 Sheaves of it 

nth ]y[p Houston was at New boston 

12"' We catched 3 salmon I got one that weighed 21 £ which made us 
Even as McLaughlin & Patterson said and we began to Reap Rie 

13 & 14"^ Rob' Giflfen helped me to Reap we Reaped above the Barn and 
some in the south peice and had in these two days 22 Stooks and 
11 Sheaves and on the 14th Deacon Smith and his son james and Samuell 
Patterson on their acct mowed my norwesterly lott in the Squar in the 
Little meadow & the Deacon came down at Dinner time and told me and 
I sent John to the Meadow in the afternoon and Shaked it out on the 13th 
I killed a lamb that weighed £ 24)^ 

14th -yy-Q Reaped and finished the south peice above the barn We had in 
both the peices above the barn 25 stooks 

16"' in the forenoon the boys and I Raked the hay on the lott that 
Deacon Smith Moyed and in the afternoon I attended on a town meeting 
called at Mr Houstons Request and we gave Fergus Kennedy an order on 
John McLaughlin Junr Constable for 40V old Tenor being what was 
Rated on his mare in the year 1762 and was since Voted off 

17"^ I finished Reaping Wheat I have of spring Wheat this year 12 
Stooks and 5 Sheaves I reaped 6 Stooks & 2 Sheaves today and I went to 
the meadow and Cocked up the hay that Deacon Smith mowed 

18"' it began to Rain in the fore part of the day and Continued untill 
Next morning it Rained a great Quantity it has been the first Rain this 
5 or 6 weeks of any Quantity 

19"' We Reaped in the field by my Brors 

20"' I gave James Lyon a Summons for Deacon Smith and Math™' 
McDuffie and a Notification to james McMujphy the adverse party the 
Depositions to be taken on the 29th and we Reaped 

21« I butchered a lamb that Weighed £ 3)^ and we finished Reaping 
I had 22 Stooks and 1 1 Sheaves in the field by my brors 

22'' William Barnett helped me to Mow at the Little meadow for some 
hay I let him have last Spring and John Kidder mowed for me also & my 



158 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

boys brot in the Rie from the field by my brors and I got a Qnart and half 
a pint of Rum from John Bells wife 

23'! My boys and I Raked 42 Cocks 

24* was a Rainy day and I drawed a Compt & Wart for Cornet Graham 
of Amherst against John Cole of sd town for lying & 4 siibpaens came to 
7/4 LaA\'full money nnpaid & jonas began to Thrash Rie 

25"^ INIr Houston was in Goffestown and Capt Karr sent me a letter by 
James Patterson 

26*'^ I sent Capt Karr an Answer by my John and I went to the meadow 
and Turned the hay on the East Side of the brook and I began to mow in 
McClary Lott and Col Goffe returned two Writs to be tryd next Thursday 
at John Bells 

27^'^ I Cleaned up near 6 bushell of Rie being the first I Cleaned up of 
this years Groath jonas thrashed 5 Stooks and what Shelled in pitching in 
the Barn 

29*'^ I begun to thrash at our Peas 

30*'^ I cleaned up two bags full 

31^' I went to Col Goffes along with Capt Leigh of Portsmouth and 
Acknowledged the deed I gav to John Orr of the lots no 1 and 11 in the 
6'^^ Rang and I finished mowing at the Little meadow and he paid me 
3 £ old Tenor for takeiug the acknowledgement of a deed from my bror 
Sam" to sd Orr & putting it on Record 

SEPTEMBER 

3'' I flrawed a Compt & warrant for james Cowen against james Thomas 
& William Allds Jun'' there was 7 Subpeneas came to 8/4 proclamation 
money unpaid and I sent a letter pr Col Goffe to the Governor for my pay 
for surveying in the year 1750 and I drawed an Advertisement for a 
proprs meeting of Sowhegan East to be held the 29th of Ocf next and 
I cleaned up better than a bag fiill of peas and finished Rakeing hay at 
the Little meadow 

3'^ John & I Stacked the burnt lott there was 32 Cocks of it and poled 
the Dispute lott Except 10 or 11 Cocks and the lot Deacon Smith mowed 
all but 10 Cocks and the wind chekt to the Eastward Exceeding quick and 
came on a Rain 

4 & 5*'^ was Cloudy weather and on the 4th I got 4 bushell of Rie gi-ouud 
at Col Goffes mill 

6''i I cleaned up three bags full of peas 

7"' I finished cleaning up our peas we guessed that we had 16 or 17 
bushell and I cleaned up 26 quarts of flaxseed & John and I went to the 
Little Meadow and Stacked the hay on the Dispiite Lott being 32 Cocks 
and 29 Cocks on the Lott that Deacon Smith mowed for me and William 
Patterson of Litchfield came to me on Lieut Jacob Heldreths acct and 
I gave him a Summons for 5 Witnesses to be taken at Gearfields on 
Thursday the 12th Instant 

9"^ I Cleaned iip 38 quarts of flaxseed and jonas and John & I went to 
the meadow and Stacked the hay on McCleary lott being 30 Cocks and 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 159 

28 on the East side of the brook and 20 on the West side of the brook and 
poled the Remainder being 21 or 23 Cocks 

10"^ the boys finished plowing the peice between the house and barn 
and John and I went to the little meadow and finished Stacking I had 193 
Cocks in the Little meadow this year and Jonas thrashed a Stook of 
Winter Wheat and my Wife cleaned it up and there was a bnshell and 
a peck of it 

nth I ys^it a Deed from me to David McCleary of the 3d Division no 67 
and a Deed from him to me of the Meadow lott no 67 and I got £ 5 of hogs 
fatt from Tho** Boies Wife on Credit and I run Unes in the afternoon for 
Gan Riddell and I brot his mare home with me to go to Mr Gordons shop 
in Dunstable the next morning before day but when I came home my 
wife was Very much oiit of Case she was taken about the middle of the 
day very suden 

13*"^ I cleaned up 2 bushell and a peck of winter Wheat and I had Gan 
Riddells mare and went to Mr Gearfields and took 4 Depositions for Lieut 
Jacob Heldreth and I lodged there over Night 

13'^ The sun about an hour high I sett oiit for Mr Gordons and I got 
there 2 iron pots 4 £ shugar a box of snuff done up in paper 1-4 of peper & 
a 34 of alspice and a paper of needles and a Quii'e of paper and I gave him 
a Dollar and I came to Mr Gearfields & I took one deposition more for 
Mr Heldreth and I ^vrit the Captious and am to be paid in Corn and I 
came home about sun set & sent home Gan mare and my boys took our flax 
to Mr Caldwells yesterday and they spread it there yesterday & today 
the night before there was a great frost 

• 14th The last night there was a gi'eat frost again and I sowed a bushell 
and 3 pints of Wheat on the pea ground between the house and barn and 
I took a bushell of winter Wheat to Col Goffes mill and got it ground & 
I had what was in the shop and I am to Make it up again 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 14 1765 

16"^ I plowed in the forenoon in the Corn land above the Barn and 
Jonas plowed in the afternoon & I cleaned up 3 bushell of Wheat 

17"^ I butchered a lamb that weighed £ 43 & I finished cleaning up my 
muter Wheat I had about 8 bushell in all this year and I got a Gallon of 
Molasses from Madam Goffe on Mr Rands Acct on Credit and I got 
a Gallon of Rum from Samuel Voses Wife 34V whereof he owes me for 
Recording four of his childi-ens names in the town book and the rest 
I owe him 

18"^ Margret Gillmoor Margret Boies Nancey Little Susanna McAllester 
Sarah Currier Margret Wallace Mary & Ann Scobey and Rachel Barron 
Broke our wool 

19"^ I had John Clogstons mare and I went to Loudon derry and 
Chester to Settle the order that Capt Karr Gave james Cocliran on me for 
a Hogshead of west India Rum Which came to £ 347-15-0 old Tenor and 
I lodged at Maj'' Tolfords 

20"> jean Tolford gave me a half Johanna Equal to 8 Dollars and I came 
to james Cochrans and I paid him the 8 Dollar peice of Gold that I got 



160 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

from jean Tolford aud I gave him my note for £ 15 proclamation money 
on Demand with Intrest till paid and I promised to pay the Intrest he 
paid to Major Tolford aud came home in the Evening 

21'** I sowed a bushell and about 6 quarts of Wheat above the Barn and 
I lent Lieut Moor half a bushell of Winter wheat to be paid in spring 
Wheat and I got a bushell of Wheat ground at Col Goffes mill 

22*1 Mr Houston was in Derryfield 

23'! I got a pair of half soles from Capt Barron aud I cleaned up 7}-i 
bushells of Rie and began to sow Rie in the field before the house 

24'^ I finished Soweing the field before the house I sowed 6)4 bushell 
<& about 5 Quarts on it and Sam^i Patterson sowed on a pair of Soles on 
my pumps I cleaned up 4 bushell and a half and 4 Quarts of Rie and I 
sowed 10 quarts and half a pint of Wheat in the peice of Ground by the 
Well makes some more than 2 bushell and a half about a quart and 1 pint 
of wheat that I sowed this year 

25'^ I set out for Chohass to help to lay out Peirmont and arived at 
Pennykook and lodged at Mrs Osgoods & I borrowed 1 pound and the 
weight of 6 spoons of pewter from Deacon Gillmors -wife 

26"^ I reed 12 £ old Tenor from Mrs McMillan that Col Goffe left for me 
and I bot some Pork and other things I wanted for to carrie me over the 
woods and I arrived at Baker town and Lodged at Calls 

27"i I arived at Lieut Bro\vns in Plymouth and Lodged there 

28*'^ It Rained all the fore part of the day in the afternoon I arived at 
jotham Cumings the uppermost house in Plymouth and Lodged there 

29"^ vv'as Sabath day and I had a Sore on the Sole of my right foot that 
I was lame with and lay by 

30'^ I set out and got a little more than 3 miles beyond Baker river 
Falls in the new road and I Campt and Col Greeley Esqrs Webster & 
Bartlett and one Page came to me and Campt with me 

OCTOBER 

l^t I arived at Cohass about one or 2 o Clock in the afternoon Lodged at 
Mr Atkinson in Haverhill 

2"^ I went to surveying in Piermont 

21'*' I finished laying out what was proposed to be laid out 

22<i we got our things and some provisions to last us home got to Mr 
Ladds the last house on our way in Coos 

23'! Set off early in the morning and Arived at Capt Brainards Camp 
in Rumuey 

24"! we came a Mile on this side Smiths River 

25"^ we arived at Pennykook and lodged at Mrs Osgoods Lieut Martains 
Expences and mine there were £ 5 

26*^' I came home in the Evening 

27"^ Was Sacrament in Bedford 

28*^ I acknowledged a Deed I gave to Ebenezer Hacket of a peice of 
Land by Joseph Kennedys and I writ a Deed from Mr Houston to Gan 
Riddell and I took the acknowledgement the Deed I ^vrite and a Deed 
from Riddell to Mr Houston all unpaid and David McCleary and I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 161 

Exchanged the Deeds of the 3d Division no 67 and the Meadow lott no 67 
and Col Goffe took the Acknowledgement and I sent the Deed McCleary 
gave nie with his son David to send it to the Records 

29"^ I spent the forenoon fitting the lists for makeing the Rates the 
afternoon I attended on a Proprietors meeting of Souhegan East and in 
the Evening the Selectmen went to Math^ Littles and we sit up almost, 
all night a makeing at the Rates 

30ti» I spent all the day at it 

31^' I finished the makeing and Recording them and I sent the lists to 
the Constables in the Evening we had 3 mugs of flip and a jill of Rum 
and 7 meals of Victuals at Matthew Littles 

NOVEMBER STAMP ACT 

P' I butchered a Ewe that weighed £ 48^0 of meat and John Bell brot 
me two poimds of Tobacca from Portsmouth I sent a peistereen with him 
for it 

2<i I sent and boiTowed John Bells Cart and went to Ensn Daniel Moors; 
mill and I got l^g biishell and qt of Winter wheat ground being the last 
I had and 5 bushell 14 qts of Rie gi'ound they ground it all Toal free 

5"i Was a training in Bedford and I ^vrit an Instrament between the 
Selectmen of Goffestown and Robert Spear and Charged 30V old Tenor 
and alowed John Orr to Receive it toward the Remainder of a bushell of 
Rie I had from him last Winter 

6th I ^f^i^ 4 Advertisements for John Bell for the sale of his fathers; 
Estate and his own place in New boston and one the 7th I went to Sam'* 
Pattersons and got him to mend my Shoes 

gtii I went to Goffestown to arbitrate between james McGregore and 
Timothy Ferrin and Sam" Richards they settled the affair themselves all 
but the Charges and Ferrin and Richards is to pay me £ 3 old Tenor each 

XQth Mr Houston preached in Londonderry for Mr McGregore who 
was in Boston 

ll"i I went to Goffestown and Run the lines Round Blodgets Farnz 
and I got half a pound of Powder and a pound and half of shot and. 
a paper of pins up in part of my pay they come to 18/6 Bay old Tenor and 
there is 26/6 Bay old Tenor comeing to me yet for my service 

12"' I spent part of the day a planing of Piermont and about )^ of it 
I spent along -with Wm Blair at Matthew Littles & I borrowed a pound 
and 3 ounces of tallow from Capt Goffes wife 
13"^ I planed all day at Piermont plan 

14'ii being Thursday was Thanksgiveing Throughout the Pro\'iuce by 
the Govrs Proclamation 

15 & 16"! I workt at the Plan of Piermont 

18"' I finished the plan and Carried to Col Goffe and the acct of my 
Charges and in the Evening I Vendued the Estate of John Bell deed and 
John Bells Estate in New boston 

19*'' was a proprs meeting of Sowhegan East by adjoiirnment and we 
adjourned it further untill the first Monday in Decbr next to ten of the 
11 



162 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

Clock iu the forenoon and Lucy Barron finished, niakeing a Diiblet for me 
Avhich she began^the day before 

20*^^ I went along with Capt Allds and Run the lines for him round the 
liome lott no 73 unpaid 

21^' I had James Pattersons horse and John Bells mare and I and my 
"Wife went to Londonderry to her Mothers and lodged there that night 

22'^ I came home and I got 3 bushells of Salt from Jonathan Chamberlin 
toward my Surveying and Drawing Plans &c for him years agone and 
I sent the two horses home in the Evening 

:23'i jouas and I cleaned the Remainder of what Rie I had there was 
■what Rie was on 20 Stocks and 6 sheaves I did not measiire the Rie but 
I suppos there will be about 20 bushell of it and I Rectified my Compass 

24th ]y[j. Houston was in Derryfield 

25tii I -writ 4 Advertisements of the adjournment of the Proprs meeting 
of Sowhegan East and I had John Clogstons Oxen and Capt Goffes Cart 
and I brot a load of Hay from the little meadow 

26'^ I workt at a head for my Surveying Staves and I workt the night 
l^efore untill past midnight and I -WTit a Wart for the Constable to warn 
Jenny Conn out of town and she threw herself on the town for Releiflf 

27"* I finished my Surveying Staves and I went to David Moor and he 
Lsoled my pumps of his own Leather and thread and set a patch on the 
side of one of them and Charged 14V Silver old Tenor and I paid him six 
of it and I owe him eight or 2^ of New Hamp' old Ten' 

28"* I went to Dunstable to Run lines by an order of Court the land lys 
in Hollis Squire Lovewell appeared for one party and Jonathan Blanchard 
for the other and I tarried over night at Squire Lovewells 

29 & 30"' I was on the same bussiness but did not finish and I came home 
on the 30th being Saterday 

DECEMBER FIRST 

my mfe came home Will'" Morrow brot hor from her mothers as far as 
Eobt McClures and she came home from there on foot 

2"* I attended a proprietors meeting in sowhegan East and I was cho^e 
with Lieut Thomas Barns and my bror Sam^i to Exaniin accounts and I 
w^as also chose -with Col Goffe and Capt Barron to Sell a peice of land lying 
in Merrymac between Tho" Vickerys and janies Gillmors and Capt Barron 
and I sent a Wart to John McLaughlin to warn Aguess Dallryniple out 
of town 

3<i I went along with Ensn Blaii- and Showed him my farm iu Goffes- 
town the Night following there fell a Snow of a foot deep 

4"" I went along with the Oxen and Sled to Ensn Moors Mill and brot 
home the 4 bushell of Meal that jonas took there yesterday on Ensn 
Blairs Horse 

5^^ I Cleaned at our spring Wheat 

6"! I could not get it quit Clean but prety near I did not Measure it 
but I suppose there is eight bushell and I Butchered a little poor lamb 
I did not weigh it 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 1G3 

7"' I went to the Meadow and brot home the Remainder of the Stack 
that I broke on the 25th ult 

gth jyir Houston was in New boston 

10*'i I workt at the Slates for a break and Roims for a Rack for our 
sheep and I compleated a Deed that I ^\Tit yesterday from Matthew Little 
to John Little and I offset the charge of With John Little for my last 
springs Expences with him and Patterson at Amoskeig which was 36/ old 
Ten' and we alowed the one to answer the other and yesterday I wnrit 
a Deed from James Vose to John Vickery not paid and I charged it on 
book (viz) 20V old Ten' to Each of them 

11*'^ Alex' M^cMurphy came for me and I went vnth. him to Tho^ Halls 
who is now Regualer in his Sences and I tarried there all night 

12''^ I came home in the fore part of the day and I sent an ax to John 
Gillmor to get laid that weighed £ 4 & 2 ounces 

14"' John Gilhnor laid my ax he put in 7 ounces of Steel and when he 
had done it before it was ground it weighed only one ounce more than it 
did before he began to lay it he burnt it so much in the fire 

16'^ I got 10 bushell of Rie and a bushell and half of Indian Corn from 
John Clogston which I am to settle for between him and Lieut Bradford 
and I took it to Ensn Moors Mill and got it all ground into Meal and got 
it all home in the Evening 

17th I ^vrit 3 letters one to Squire Lovewell and another to Jonathan 
Blanchard concerning surveying for them pr order of Court and another 
to Mr Cox of Dunstable for a Draiight Chain 

20"' the boys brot a load of hay from the meadow 

2P' I brot a load myself 

22*1 Mr Houston was absent from Bedford he set out last week for Pel- 
ham biit Mr Wilkins was in Bedford in his Room 

23<^ 24"' & part of the 25 I lay by by reason of a swelling on my left 
Cheek which broke and run in the Evening of the 35th I attended at 
a meeting of the township of Dartmouth 

26"' I set out for Ensn Parkers in Hollis in order to buy some beaf and 
I lodged at Cousen William Pattens 

27"' I got to Ensn Parkers and lodged there at night 

28"' I bought an Ox from Ensn Benjamin Parker for £ 50 Bay old Ten' 
and I gave him my note to pay him in three months free of lutrest but if 
not paid then to draw Intrest from that time till paid and I came home 
with the Ox 

30"' I borrowed 35 board nails from Squire Rand 

31«' Lieut John Moor helped Me to butcher the Ox which Weighed 
£618 of Beaf and 86 of a hide and 43 of Tallow and I cut it up and my 
Wife Salted down a barrel of the best of it in the evening and I borrowed 
a quart bottle full of Rum from my neighbour Samuel Currier 

JANUARY FIRST 1766 

We salted up the remainder of our beaf and I got a quart and half a 
jill of Rum from Squire Rand it began to Snow in the fore part of the 
day moderately very fine but Exceeding Cold and snowed all the night 
following 



164 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

2^ it Snowed all day and the wind very high it abated snowing a little 
before night it is nigh a foot deep of this falling 

3^^ I pd Currier the Rum I borrowed the 31st iilt 

4* I broke out to the Little Meadow and brot home the bottom of the 
Stack in the Northwest Corner of the Squar 

6^^ I got a £ of Snuff that The* Boies brot from Boston for me he laid 
out his own Money for it 

7"^ I borrowed almost 20 fulls of our large Shugar box full of Corn from 
James Patterson and I lent him 10 full of it of E,ie 

8*'^ I fetched a load of hay out of the stack on McCleary lott 

9"> I took 8 bushell of Rie and the Corn I borrowed fronj jas Patterson 
and got it ground at Ensn Moors mill 

10"' I brot 2 load of hay from the Meadow the night following it began 
to Rain 

11"' It Rained hard in the morning but abated a While up in the day 

13"' I brot a load of hay from the Meadow 

14"' I brot a load of hay and I let Thomas Boies have a bushell of Peas 
and Deacon Walker and I waited on the Commitee of Dartmouth for 
Examining accts but could not settle our affau-s 

15"' I butchered our two Hoggs which weighed 300 and we salted them 
down in the Evening one weighed 160 and the other 140 

16 & 17"' was Exceeding Cold on the 16th I went to Matthew Littles 
and I \\Tit a Deed from Capt Karr to John Patee and both paid me 

20"' I brot two load of hay from the meadow 

2P* was a Rainey day 

22'' Lucy Barron came here to work and I got o quarts of Molasses and 
a puding pan from Esquire Rand the molasses was 3-15-0 and the pan 
was 16V old Tenor unpaid 

24"' brot a jagg of hay from the meadow 

25"' I shod my sled and put in a New Spear and Rowler and New Slats 

28"' I went to Ensn Moors mill and I got a bushell and almost a half 
of Wheat ground and I brot tlie rest of my load of hay out of the burnt 
lott 

39"' I brot two jaggs from the meadow 

30"' I set oiit for Dunstable and Hollis and I had Richard MacAllesters 
horse and lodged at Squire Cumings 

31*'' Run some lines so as to joyu my other work together and I took 
a Note for 4 Dollars from Eben Farley being the one half of my pay & the 
half of my Expences and Jona Blanchard Esqr gave me three French 
Crowns on acct of my note from Farley and I am to have the improvement 
of it uutill I get the money from Farley and I came to Squire Lovewells 
and planed at my work untill 11 of the Clock at Night and I lodged there 
and I pd Elnathan Blood 2 Dollars and four and four pence Bay old Ten"^ 
for the 2 biishell of Wheat I had from him about 3 years last fauU 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I finished the plan and went to justice Chases and Attested to it and 
I got 2 axes from Smith in Dunstable which Squire Lovewell is to pay for 



matthp:w patten's diaey. 165 

ill the half of my pay and he pel 33/7 Bay old Tenor for me at Squire 
Cumings he paid me 11/6 Bay old Ten' made his tliree Dollars toward 
my way and he found me as much as was his half of my Expences and I 
came home in the Evening 

4"i I had James Pattersons Oxen and I took 85 sticks of slitwork to my 
upper place and I got McKiuueys oxen to help me from his house up and 
I got a quart of Rum from John Bell on Credit and Alex'' Orr came and 
Swingled flax for me and Charles Black swingled on his acct 

5"' Alex' Orr swingled in the forenoon and finished we had about 100 
pounds of flax in all this year and Daniel Moor singled shod my Oxen* and 
charged me 50V old Tenr and I found the iron 

6"! I went to my Mother in Laws and took my Oxen and Sled with me 

7"^ I came home and brot two thirds of a barrel of Vinegar that from 
there and Rob' McMurphy filled the barrel up with Cydar and he filled 
a half barrel that I had with me with Cydar .and he gave me a biishell of 
Indian meal and I brot the Bed and bolster and Sheet and a Quilt and 
a Rag Coverlid and 2 Chairs that fell to our Divide of my father in Laws 
personal Estate and my mother in Law gave me four chah's to bring home 
and my off ox got lame in his off fore foot in comeing home but I cant tell 
how and my wife sent and got 5 quarts and 3 jills of Molasses from John 
Bells wife 

8'*^ I went and got some Spruce and I cut off a board log and butted it 
Jonas fell it west from the field South of the house 

10th I went to Col Goffes and made some additions to Piermont Plan 
and helped to fram and Draw a Retiirn for the Commitee of the siu-vey of 
said town I got home about one or two of the Clock in the morning 

11"^ I spent the forenoon in going to Capt Barrons and drawing a State 
of our affairs relating to Jenny Conn to send to Mr Livermore for advice 
and James Patterson carried it and David Currier brot me half a Quire of 
paper on in part of some Writings I did for him on the 3d Instant I did as 
much as came to a pistereen for him and another pistereen for his father 
which they promised to pay 

12"^ & 13"^ we workt at geting wood 

14"^ Col Goft'e sent for me on an affair of Doctr Merrills who had given 
abuse to Divers persons the day before the Col alowed me 4*/ provn 
money and Sqiure Rand became paymaster and promised to give me Cr 
for it on book and I did as much \\Titing for Sam^^ Currier as came to 2"/ 
unpaid 

15"^ I hauled 6 load of Wood from up by Kidders 

17th J gQ^; a pail- of Mogoseens that David Moor mended for me he soled 
and heel tapd tlieni and I found the thread he charged lly Bay old Ten' 
and I and james Patterson went to Amoskieg Falls and workt between the 
Pulpit and Sullivans point 

19''^ Hitty Currier came to Spin about noon at our house and we hauled 
7 load of wood out of the swamp 

21»' I went to Capt Barrons and We the Selectmen Mr Houston an 
order for his Sallery this year being £ 13-1-7 Lawfull agreeable to a Vote 
•of the town 



166 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

24"^ I carried 25 Sticks of Slitwork up to my place between here and 
NeAV boston and in the Evening I went to John Bells to treat with Mr 
Warren about the niakeing the Pulpit and I vn:it a Deed of old John Bells 
Estate from Ensn Daniel Moor who bought it at Vendue of John Bell and 
took the acknowledgement of it and the acknowledgement of a Deed from 
the adminisr to Moor all unpaid and to be paid by John Bell 

25*'^ I gave William Caldwell a Wart againt David Scobey with IG 
supeneas came to 11/4 Lawfull 

26*1^ I gave Will'" Cadlwell a Wart against Will'" Wallace with Ifi or 17 
subpeneas came to 11/4 or 8 pence and Scobey and Caldwell settled their 
affair and J Caldwell is to pay me I charged IIV 

27*'' John got 5 quarts of molasses at John Bells and I ^^^-it a pair of 
Indentirres of a poor Child named Nancy Sloan to Rob' Morrial we the 
Selectmen met at Matth^*' Littles and We signed the Indentures and Writ 
the Wart for the March meeting and gave several orders we broke up 
some time in the morning our Expences was two mugs of flip and I got 
10 board from Capt Goffe that m.easured 145 feet for which I am to draw 
in logs to make as many for him free of the sawing and Hitty Currier 
left off spiuing at noon and went home 

28*'' I went a Run lines for janies Gillmore and I run as much for Ensn 
Vickery and Joseph Farmer as I did for Gillmore what I did for them 
I allowed to pay some Iiitrest that I alowed myself to pay Joseph Farmer 
on acct of some Rie I had from him two year last fall and Winter Gillmor 
is to pay me in grain if he can spare it 

MARCH FIRST 

was a great Rain 

2*^ Mr Hoiistou was in Derryfield this is the fifteenth sabath day that 
he has preached in other towns for pay since last March meeting 

3<i I carried some linen yearn to David McClearys to be Wove 

4"' I held a Court wherein William Caldwell was Conipt and W^illiam 
Wallace was Respt I gave judgement agt the Respt and he appealed 

5*'' I gave Col Goffe a Quitclaim of the home lott no 17 on babussuck 
for which he is to give me a horse he had from Robert Nesmith for said 
Lott 

6"' he sent me the horse by John Kidder 

7"' I got 5 Quarts of molasses from John Bell 

8"' I met with the Rest of the selectmen at Math^''' Littles and 
Examined Lieut Moor on his Constableship and I got a calfskin from 
Capt Barron that he Taned and Curried for me 

10"' I carried some filling to David McClearys and 2io bushell of Rie to 
Ensn Moors Mill and I got Po bushell of it ground and I gave Tho* Hall 
a Deed of the Lott no one on the north of Piscataqiiog River and I took 
a Deed of the lott no 8 in the Gth Rang from Capt Karr in lieu of it 

11*'^ I went to Ensn Tho^ Millers and got a bottle of Snuff that Peggy 
Diggedy sent a present to my wife by Ann Kennedy 

12th Thomas Boies with his oxen and Sled and John Moor and John 
McKinncy and Each of their oxen helped me to Hall my boards from 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 167 

McKiuneys to my upper place and I had William Baruetts oxeu and I 
took about 835 feet of boards from home with what Will"^ Barnett took 
up from Goflfs for me makes about 2000 feet of boards that I have now at 
my upper place 

13"> my boys and I was at the Haulling of John McLaughlins barn the 
Cleatt and Plate brook and was obhged to leave it and I could not find 
the ax I took with me that night 

14"' was an Extraordinary storm of Wind and Snow 

15"' the wind Continued Excessive high and the snow Drifted greatly 
ill this day and yesterday we had 4 sheep lambd and by the morning of 
the 16th two of the lambs died who we suppose was killed by the other 
sheep by dunting them and I got 5 Quarts of Molasses from John Bells 
wife 

1 T"' It stormed Hail and wet together and froze as it fell but before the 
middle of the day it Rained and in tlie after part of the day it Rained 
a gi-eat deal and I went to David McClearys and got the Cloath he was 
Weaveing for us there was 30 yds and almost three quarter of it he took 
6 yds for the Weaveing and I brot home a bushell of meal from Ensu 
Moors mill that I Carried the grain there the 10th Instant 

20"' I helped John McLaughlin junr Hall his Barn and got a pair of 
Shoes for my wife that Sam'i Patterson made the upper leather was mine 
and I borrowed the sole leather from james Patterson and I bargained 
away my farm on Piscataquog River to William Blair for 212 ^o' Dollars 
to be paid in 2 months ynth good Security 

22^1 I went to Ensn Daniel Moors mill and got two bushell of Rie ground 

24"' I with the other Selectmen attended on the Town Comiters at 
Math^^ Littles and gave some orders and tryed to settle with Mr Houston 
about the arrears he says the town owes him but could not get a State of 
the arrears all that we could do and he went off and blamed us that we 
would not Settle vnth. him without and james Little got about 3 hundred 
of hay 

25"^ james Little got about 2H hundi-cd of hay and I got a pair of Soles 
for my own shoes from james Patterson and Sam'"' Patterson sowed them, 
on and I got a pair of shoes that Sam" Patterson made for susanna and 
I had the sole leather from james Patterson 

26"' was our March Annual meeting and I was Chosen Clerk and 
second Selectman and I Qualified the town officers 

27"^ I went to pine hill in Hollis to Plan the same to find a Center for 
them to build a School house on & before I went I took a bill of Sale of 
Ensn Blairs personal Estate 

28"' was on the business 

29"' finished and came home and Charged 18V but did not get my pay 
and as I Came home I got half a bushell of Peas from John Roby that he 
owed me and is to be discounted on the note I have of him 

30"' was Sabathday and the night following we had a ewe lam])d and 
our black Cow Calved 

3^' I went wath David McCleary Junr and run Round his 100 acres 
above james Littles and John Thomas gave me a bushell of oats and my 
John brot them home 



168 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MARCH 31« 1766 
APRIL FIRST 

I began to prune my Apple trees and I gave Mr Houston a Coppy of a 
Vote from the town book and he paid me lOV old Tenor for it and pd me 
29V old Tenor for Acknowledgeing a Deed from Gau Riddell to him last 
October 

.2'^ I began to sow my Peas and pruned some apple trees 

3'^ sowed some more peas and pruned some more at Apple trees and in 
the afternoon I went to Esqr Rands to a Proprietors meeting of Dart- 
mouth and was chose one of the assessors and one of the Commitee for to 
lay out the Laud 

4"^ I sowed some more peas and pruned some more apple trees and I 
got a quart of Rum and a quart of Molasses from John Bell on Credit 

5*'i this day I finished sowing two bushell of peas and I let james Pat- 
terson liave half a bushell of peas that I got from John Roby on the 29th 
ult month and I pruned at my apple trees 

7*1^ I finished Sowing peas I sowed two bushell and Twenty Eight Quarts 
in all this year and yesterday I sent Mr Houston a line to inform him how 
many Sabathdays the town had Voted him away the Ensueing year 

gth J -writ a letter to Lieut Brown for money and I mortised a Sett of 
Table legs 

lO*^"^ I turned two set of Table legs 

ll^'i I run round Lieut John Littles place in Goflfestown for his mowing 
a Day for me two or three years ago in the Little meadow and I Run 
round No 1 in the 12th Rang in Bedford for Deacon Gilhnor to answer 
against a bushell of potatoes that I had from him last spring and some 
butter I had of his wife last fauU when I went to Cohass in September 

12*'^ I workt at makeing a table frame 

14*'^ I finished makeing the table frame for my Cousin Eliz'th Laucey 

15"' I attended at Deacon Kenndells on the Commissioners on Capt Par- 
kers Estate and Exhibited an acct on Oath of £ 87: 12:0 old Ten"^ but there 
was a mistake of £4:8:0 old Ten' that I found afterward I ought to 
have allowed of more Credit 

16"' I pruned at my apple trees 

17"' I carried The ox hide I bot off Ensu Parker which weighed £86 and 
raj own Swan ox hide that weighed £53)^ but it is much damaged and 
my Mare skin which was damaged also to Mr Fiske in Hollis to be Tanned 
and 13 yards and better than a quarter of alwool Cloth to joseah French 
in Hollis to be di-est and I came home in the Evening 

IS"' I finished pruning our apple trees 

19"* I went to Lieut Moors and got some peas and some Carrot seed that 
his son John brot there for us & and we sowed some garden seed 

20"' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford he went of for Pelham 

2P' this day I killed five Partridges on their loggs for Druming and we 
sowed more garden seeds and I got a pound of Snuff from Matli^*' Little 
that he brot from Boston |or me last week I sent 12V10'' Bay old Tenor 
with him for it 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 169 

22'' I went to james McNights and I divided the Estate between liini 
and his son David and it is to pay a Dollar that I owed his son John of the 
price of a Mare I hot of him in the year 1760 and I alow myself to do him 
some other jobb some time again on the acct of the Dollar and I went to 
Maj"^ Moors and I settled with him on my Note and for a barrell of Vini- 
gar and the barrel the barrel was £ 3 and the vinigar was £4 and I had 
paid him all my note and for the barrell and the Vinigar & Capt Barron 
had the barrell and half the Vinigar and 19V old Ten'' over which he could 
not pay me back and I went to John Quigs and got 7 Duck eggs from them 
and they would not take anything for them and I went to Lieut Hildreths 
and I left a bag of Rob' McMurphys with him to get some grain for my 
takeiug some Depositions for him last September 

2-1"^ I sowed aboiit a Quart of Great Peas and a handful or two of Early 
peas in the Garden and in the evening I ^v^it a Deed for Archibald 
McMiu'phy from his Step father and his Mother for him 

25"^ I gave sd Archibald McMurphy the Deed I drawed last night and 
another I ch-awed from his Sister jean to him 

26"' I went to John Bells for John McLaughlin Juur to Count the money 
for the Province Rates for him on his Constableship and I paid him an 
eight pound bill that wanted one Charecter and a twenty four shilling bill 
of my Province Rates & joe Thomas gave me a bushell of potatoes 

27th J heard Mr Daniel Emerson preach in Bedford for Mr Houston 
from the 25th Verse and 5th Chapter of St Johns Gospell 

28'*^ my boys planted the Potatoes that Joseph Thomas gave me on last 
Saterday we had planted all the potatoes that I had of our own before 
being twenty pail strickt full 

29"^ I sowed 17 Quarts of Barley and I hewed knees for a Cannoe and I 
got a bushell of Potatoes from Tho^ Boies 

30''' I sowed 3 bushell of Flax seed above the Barn and we planted the 
Potatoes we had yesterday from Tho^ Boies all but a few 

MAY FIRST 

I sowed 12 Quarts of Spring Wheat in the Cow yards and I got a bushell 
of Potatoes from Math^^' Little and I got a Stem and Stearn posts for a 
Cannoe on the 2d my boys planted almost all the jjotatoes I got the day be- 
fore 

4"^ Mr Houston was in New boston 

5"^ I Reed 4 Dollars from John McLaughlin Jun' as a Constable for my 
service assisting the Selectmen in the year 1760 agreeable to a Vote of the 
town 

7"' John went to Daniel Moors Mill and got two bushell of Wlieat and a 
bushell and a peck of Rie ground being the last of my own Rie 

10"' I went to Litchfield and got a bushell and a half of Rie from Lieut 
Heldreth on acct of my takeing some Depositions for him last Septr and 
they ground it Toal free and I got half a bushell of Rie from him more 
than I am to pay for I would have paid for it then but coiild not make 
Change and I got ten duck Eggs from Mrs Gibson and I could not pay my 
ferriage to Lieut Read for want of change 



J 



170 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

12"' I went a fishing in the morning to Seborns ponds and I catched 13 
Pickerell and I went to Goffes town and I got from old Mr Blodget one 
pound of Powder a 18/ and a paper of pins a 5*/ and a pound and a half of 
shot a 4/6 paid me up the remainder of what was due to me for Ruiiing 
lines for his Cousin Sam^' last f aull and a Shilling over and I paid him two 
Coppers back toward the shilling the above prices are in Mass old Ten'^ 

13"' I "vvrit a letter to Lieut Brown and another to abel Webster of Ply- 
mouth for money and I can-ied them to Esq'^ Rands and I got boards from 
Sam'i Moor to make a Cannoe with and I went a fishing to Sebans Pond 
and I catched 13 pickerell and when I came home in the Evening Capt 
Lovewell had been at my house and left a Summons for me to answer to 
Ensn Benj" Parker at June Coiu-t for an Ox I bot of him the 28th of last 
Febr 

14"' om- Heifer Calved a Cow Calf and Sarah Currier came to oiir house 
to spin & we washed our sheep 

15"' We found the Heifer and her Calf 

16"' Sarah Currier went home in the morning 

IT"' I went to Capt Karr at his house about the money I owe him and 
Sarah Currier came to Spin at our house she has been here 3 days this 
week 

19"' I catched 17 pickerel and I sent John to Old Mr Vickerys and to 
James Gillmor and he got half a bushell of Hie from ja>* Gillmor In part of 
what he owes me for Running lines for him last Winter and he owes me 
half a bushell of Rie yet and he got better than half a bushell of Indian 
Corn from Mr Vickery for my Writing a deed and Aclinowledging it for 
him some time ago the deed was from him to his daiighters Phebe and 
Hannah of a 100 acres in Bedford 

20"' Susannah brot home 13 yds of tow Cloth that Capt Barrons wife 
wove for us 

2P' was the Pro^dncial Fast 

25"' Mr Houston was in New boston 

26"' I finished makeiug a Chest of Drawers & Table for Cousen W" Pat- 
tens Daughter Elizabeth and a Desk for myself 

27"' I went to Hollis and Settled with Ensn Benj" Parker on his Sueing 
me to June Court and I Reed almost £ 10 old Ten'^ from John Robys wife 
on acct of his note 

28"' 29"' 30"' & 3pt I fished at Anioskieg and I got about 550 shad home 
and a Small Salmon home and I changed 120 for two bushell of Salt 20 I 
sold 27 I gave away and 111 had Stole 

JUNE 2'i 

John Frain was found in the Edy below Pattersons brook and I was 
notified as a Selectman to go see him biu'ied and Ensn Daniel Moor and I 
got o yards of Linen and a Gallon of Rum from Math^" Little to burrie 
him with and in the morning I went to John Bells to meet ^vith William 
Caldwell and William Wallace who had agTeed on Terms of accommoda- 
tion and this morning they wholy Settled and past Receipts Wallace is to 
pay all Lawful! cost and Caldwell bore his own and his Attorys The Con- 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 171 

stable forgave liis fees and I forgave mine and Wallace gave me a Dollar 

3d 4th 5tii & Qth I fished at Amoskieg I sent home these 4 days 233 shad 
of them Jonas got 69 at the new Setting place in this time I sold 80 the 
Capt Walker and my bror a 3V each 8 I gave Capt Blair 28 I gave for 9}4 
£ of Butter and 24 I gave for 3 peaks of Salt and 10 I let Richard McAles- 
ter have 

8"^ was Mr Hoiistons Sacrament 

10"' I borrowed a bushell of Indian Corn from young John McLaughlin 
and got it ground and I went to New Setting place and I catched 5 Shad 

ll"i David Moor soled my shoes and charged a quarter of a Dollar and I 
swore John Jacobs about his paying Fergus Kennedy some money and 
Hugh Campbell came to make me a pair of Lether britches 

12^'^ I went to Amoskieg and I got 5 Shad and a Bass and I changed the 
bass with Samuel Richards and I got a Salmon from him of 11?^^^ £ weight 
for the bass and 7 Shad he owed me and Hugh Campbell finished makeing 
my britches and I did not pay him 

13"^ I set out for Penny kook and I got a Salmon at the setting jilace of 
11 £ weight Elez Wells catched it and the partners gave it to me, viz 
Sam^i Richards and Wells and Ensn McCallow and I lodged at Mrs 
Osgoods and she had the fish of me and it paid my Entertainment 

14«» I bot 16 bushell of Indian Corn from Tho^ Stickney at half a dollar 
pr bushell and I paid him the money all in silver and I brot away 
3 bushell of it and got it ground at Badgers mill and came home in the 
Evening 

16"' I went to Mr Russes and Run the line between him and Lieut 
McNeill on the North side of Russes land 

18"' I fished at Amosldeg falls and I catched a Salmon and I got a 
quart of Rum from Mr Russ and I gave and I gave it into the Company 
who was John Martain and jamey Karr and I got a Small Sahiion for it 

19"' I had Richard McAllesters horse and I went to Penuykook in com- 
pany with Mary Riddell and carried the two Salmon I got the day before- 
and let Mr Osgood have them they weighed 21 £ it was great Rain in the 
afternoon and we were Very wet 

20"' I brot 8 bushell of the Corn I bot of Tho^ Stickey and left it at 
Badgers Mill and went back and brot 4 bushell more and got 2 of it 
ground at Badgers and I had the Toal and I gave him the 8th of a dollar 
and I paid Marys Expences and mine to Mrs Osgood which was 4:19:0 
I had 5/ O T pr £ for the Salmon it Rained a good deal this afternoon and 
we came to John McCurdys and lodged there 

2ist -^e came home and it Rained two Showers on us this day a coming 
home and jonas Workt for old Mr John McLaiighlin 

22'i Mr Houston was absent from Bedford he and his Wife went off for 
Pelham last Tuesday and I found a book in my book Case but does not 
know from whence it came Entitled some New Discoveries of the uncer- 
tainty Deficiency and Corruption of Human Knov\'ledge & Learning by 
, John Edwards D D 2d Edition and I Mised a book of mine ^^Tit by Jona- 
than Edwards Entitled a Strick and Careful Enquiry into that freedom of 
Will which is Necessary to Moral Agency &c 



172 :siATTHEW patten's diary. 

23'i I paid John McLaughlin juur the bushell of Corn I borrowed of him 
the 10th Instant and I paid james Patterson ahuost a biishell of Corn that 
I borrowed from him last Winter when I got it I borrowed two bushell 
and I let him have half a bushell of Peas towards it this last spring and 
I borrowed £ 3 old Tenor from Math^*" Little and jouas Helped old John 
jNIcLaughlin almost all day 
]l 24"' & 35"^ I workt some at makeing a Ploiigh 

'<■ 26"' I fished at Amoskieg falls and I catched 12 Salmon and 13 Shad 

I brot the shad to Math^^' Littles and let him have them 

27*'' I had Gan Riddells mare and my own Colt and went to Penuykook 
and I carried 9 Salmon with me and I sold 3 to Mr Badger the Miller they 
weighed 41,34 £ and one to Deacon Hall of 10 £ and 4 to Mrs Osgood and 
her Daughter McMillan that weighed 41k' and one to Tho^ Stickueys wife 
that Weighed 9\ all at 3d Lawfull pr £ 

28"' day I got a bushell of Corn from Mr Stickuey and I paid him over 
the Salmon his wife had ^o ^ peistereen and I got a bushell of Corn from 
Deacon Hall and I paid him in 10/s old Tenor more than his Sahnon and 
from Mi's Osgood I had my Expenses which was 2:6:0 old Ten'' and She 
paid me a peistereen and she owes me a quarter of a Dollar yet and I got 
a quire of paper from Mrs McMillan at 20/ O T and She owes me 4 £ O T 
yet and I brot the 2 bushell of Corn to Badgers mill and got it Ground 
and I had the Toal he has ground 13 bushell for me in all that I have had 
the toal of and I came home and jonas catched 3 Salmon at the falls and 
I catched one after I come and my Wife went to Derry & Chester and 
carried with her 5}.2 Salmon or better than a half she had John McLaugh- 
lins horse and on the day I went to Pennykook John Catched 9 Sahnon 
aud I catched one we have catched 26 Salmon in all these 3 days they 
weighed about 270 £ 

29"' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

30"^ I fished at the falls in company with Sam^i Richards We catched 
3 Salmon and 9 Shad We gave Col Goffe one for which he gave us a bottle 
of Rum our Salmon weighed about 12 £ apeice 

JULY FIRST 

I let Gan Riddell have my Salmon it weighed 12)^ £ I sent it to his 
house by my John and jonas helped old Mr McLaughlin from about 10 of 
the Clock till night aud I finished makeing a plough 

2<i jonas aud John helped John McLaughlin junr the greatest part of the 
day to Hoe & I went to Pope Tho'* Karrs and Run Round a peice of land 
that he Cleared for Mr Blodgett 

3^' jonas and John helped John MacLaughlin junr in the forenoon and 
in the afternoon was a training aud I went to Amoskieg falls and brot 
Sam^i Rodgers Canuoe down to Patterson brook mouth in order to fish 
with 

4"' was a Rainey day throughout 

5"^ I went to the falls and catched a Salmon that weighed IQig £ and' 
Gan Riddell sent me 2 £ and 14 ounces of Butter toward the Salmon I let 
him have the fii'st Instant 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 173 

6"^ I lieard Mr True preach iu Eedford for INIr Houstou from Pi-overbs 
23d Chap & 23d verse 

7"^ I got a Scyth from Math'"' Little on Credit and I gave james Mathies 
a Wart against Jonathan Cumings unpaid a.nd I began to fellow the old 
field by my brors and I had John McLaughlins oxen helping me 

8"' I had John Kidders oxen helping me to plow and I writ 3 letters for 
Squire Rand to dun for money and Signed him 3 Writs and Summons 

9"* I had John Kidders oxen helping me to plow and I had Math''' Littles 
horse and John Clogstons mare and I went to Pennykook and I brot home 
the 5 bushell of Indian meal I had at Mr Badgers and I got what he 
called a bushell and a peck of Rie from him for which I pd him 5 £ but 
I think there is about a bushell of it 

10* I had John McLaughlins Oxen helping me to plow it was very hot 
day so that we plowed but about half a days work 

11"^ I had John Kidders oxen helping me to plow it was a very hot day 
and we could not plow but about half the day and Capt Barron came to 
my house and we drawed 3 Warts to the surveyors of highways 

12"^ I pd Math''- Little 20/ O : T : and 4"/ for a jill of Rum I had on the 
9th Instant and 40"/ for a Salmon he had on the 28th of June and the 3 £ 
1 Borrowed from him on the 23d of last June and I had John Kidders Oxen 
helping me plow in the forenoon and we finished plowing the field by my 
brors 

14tiA I got half a bushell of Salt from Ensu Daniel Moor on Credit and 
I gave Sam'i Gibson of Merrymac a Wart to search Phinehas Lunds house 
for Stolen Goods unpaid and I let Widow Bell have Rake and Sarah 
Currier pulled flax for us and the boys hoed the Potatoes 

15"^ I got 2 Quarts of Rum from John Bell on Credit and I got 3 sythes 
and a pound of powder from old Mr Blodget on Tho^ Karrs acct for my 
measuring 21 Acres of land for him that he Cleared on Mr Sam^' Blodgets 
farm on the 2d Instant and Daniel Moor Laid a peice on the point of my 
plow shear the Iron was mine and John Kidder is to pay for it and Sarah 
Currier pulled flax for us 

IBt'i Sarah Currier helped us to pull flax and we finished we put 24 
stook into water and we have 60 stook more and I began to mow 

1 7"^ I had John Maclaughlins oxen helping me to plow and I gave David 
MacClure a warrant against Samuel Richards and I went a fishing in the 
Evening and we Catched a Salmon that weighed £ 16 and I had the 
whole of it 

18"i I m.owed the forenoon and iu the afternoon I writ a Deed from 
John Little to John Mudget of the Right of land in Gihnantown and 
mudget paid and Little did not and McClure and Richards Settled their 
Case and and Richards is to pay me and I reed 12^/8'^ Lawfull from from 
John McLaughlin Juiir of the towns money to buy Nails Brads & Glue 
for the pulpit and got two quarts of rum from John Bells wife on Credit 

19"^ I went to William Henerys and got 2 £ of tobacca and I paid 
a pistereen for it 

20^'' I went to Gofl'estowu meeting at John Smiths and heard Mr John 
Wilson of Chester preach in the forenoon from the 2d of Acts & 38d 
verse and in the afternoon the 17th of Johns Gospel and 4th verse 



17-i MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

21^* I mowed in my meadow at home 

22*^ I weut to Tho" Halls and drawed 3 writs for him viz one against 
Joseph PiT-dnay one against Jonathan Atwood and 1 agt John Ordway the 
charge for each is 4-4-0 old Ten'' nnpd and I charged Hall on book for 
them in La'wfiil money 

24'^^ I finished mowing in My Meadow at home Except from the Crotch 
of the brook upward which I left for Jonathan Currier and John Kidder 
and I took two Notes from Lieut Brown by assignment on Sam^i Derbeu 
of 15-13-6 Each and a note from himself of 4-4-9 all LawfuU money and 
I got a bush ell and a half of Salt from Ensn Daniel Moor on' Credit 

25**^ I began to Reap and I Reaped 2 Stooks and 4 Sheaves of Winter 
"Wheat and I got in the last of my hay that I had at liome I had 102 Cocks 
in my Meadow as far up as to the Crotch and I put it all in one Stack by 
the barn & I got 2 quarts of Rum from Mat Little 

26*'^ It Rained in the forenoon sometime and in the afternoon I went to 
Capt Karrs to let him know that Lieut Brown brot me no money and to 
laiow whether I must Sue for the money & Nathaniel patterson brot 
a Salmon it weighed 10% 

217th ]y[j. Houston was in Hillsbourgh and our Heifer took Bull 

28*'^ my little boys and Betsey & I Reaped 5 Stooks and 7 Sheaves of 
Wheat betwixt and the Barn 

29'^^ my little boys and I Reaped 5 Stooks and 3 Sheaves between 
between and the barn and Sarah Currier came about 10 of the Clock to 
Spin at our house 

30*h I got two pigs from John McLaughlin Jun"' and Daniel Moor made a 
tongue for my Sheep bell fixt the Heel of my Scyth wore out and would 
not charge anything for it and Sarah Currier spun at our house 

31*' I finished Reaping the peice between and the barn I had 14 Stooks 
and four Sheaves in it and two sheaves behind the house and 4 stooks and 
10 sheaves in that peice by the well and we Reaped 5 Stooks in the wheat 
above the barn and Sarah Currier spun at our house 

AUGUST 

First I finished Reaping Winter Wheat I have 18 Stooks & 3 Sheaves 
above the barn I have 37 Stooks and 7 Sheaves of Winter Wheat in all this 
year and my Wife had John McLaiighlin junrs horse and went to Will'" 
Morrows and Sarah Currier went home at noon from spining she had been 
here about 3 days this time and Lieut John Taylor came to Engage me to 
go in the last of this month to lay out Cockermouth 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGUST FIRST 1766 

2'' We Reaped 2 Stooks of Rie being the first and we opened our stack 
of hay and found it had got hot and dried IS Cocks of it which was sweated 
Near good for Nought and jonas thrashed 10 Sheaves of Wheat and I sent 
near or quite a bushell of Wheat to W" Morrow but it was not dried and 
Margret Tolford came to our house and I got 2 Quarts of Rum from Gau 
Riddell on Credit 

^^ our Belled Cow took Bull 



MATTHEW patten's DIAilY. 175 

4"' we catched a Salmou that we divided iu 3 parts Equaly as uear as we 
could my part weighed 3I4 £ aud we Carted iu our Wheat aud I Idlled a 
Lamb that weighed as I guessed about 26 £ it weighed after the ueck was 
cut oft' 2334 £ and we had to Cart out our Stack of hay iuto the wheat 
ground and Spread it & dry it 

5"* I let John McLaughlin Senr have a Rake and we Reaped our Spring 
Wheat we had 4 Stooks & a Sheaf of it and I Cleaned up two bushell and 
almost a half of Winter jouas thrashed two Stooks and there was what 
sheled in the pitching and some that was left when we thrashed ten 
sheaves on Saterday last and we finished drying our stack of hay and 
Reaped a stook and a half of Rie 

6"^ Jonas and John Stacked the Hay again & james & Bob & I reaped 3 
Stooks of Rie 

7th yf^Q Reaped part of the day tooped up the Stack 

gth -\;ye Carted in 12 Stooks aud 7 sheaves of Rie aud our Spring Wheat 
and we Reaped 9 Stooks and a half I got 2 qts of Rum from John Bell 

9"* We Carted in the Rie we Reaped yesterday and took up part of the 
flax that we water Roted it Rained Considerable to day and in the after- 
noon we Reed accts pr Mr Houston aud John McDuflfie that William Mor- 
rows wife was Dangerously 111 

Sabathday morning my wife and Peggy Tolford went over to see her 
my Wife had Jonathan Curriers mare 

11*'^ being monday my Wife and Peggy Tolford came home before noon 
aud we Reaped IQio Stooks and a half of Rie 

12th ^Q Carted in the Rie we Reaped yesterday aud it Rained a pretty 
Shower in the morning Avith a Considerable of Thunder & we Reaped 9 
Stooks and 1 sheaf 

13*'^ We Carted in the Rie we Reaped yesterday and we Reaped four 
stooks aud seven sheaves which finished our Rie We have Forty Six Stooks 
and three sheaves of Rie this year in all and I let John Clogstou have a 
Rake which he promised to pay for and I got two qts of Rum from Math"**' 
Little on Credit and our Black Cow took Bull 

14"* I began to Mow in the Little meadow and jonas and I mowed the 
Dispute lott and began in the burnt lott 

15* I butchered a lamb that weighed 20>( £ after the neck was cut off 
& jonas and I mowed the Rest of the day in the burnt lott 

IQth ^^Q finished mowing the burnt lott and we Raked aud Cocked the 
■Dispute there was 21 Cocks on it and we Raked half the burnt lott 

17"' Mr Houston was in New boston 

18'h Jonathan Currier and John Kidder mowed for me in the square in 
the Little meadow and jonas and I mowed there also and I got a qt of 
Rum from John Bell on Credit and the night following it came on a Rain 

ig'h the fore part of the day was Very Rainy and in the afternoon I 
went at Joseph Scobeys and Robert Morrials Reqt to John Bells to help 
them to settle their accts which was eflected & Mr Houston changed a 
bad 24 ,' bill and gave me a piestereeu in lieu. 

20*'' I attested to an acct Against Col Goffe and Esqr Emerson on the 
Laying out Piermont aud Acknowledged a power before Esqr Rand and 



176 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

sent the acct & power to Mr Livermore by my John to be Sued and I Reed 
the Treasurers Wart for Province Rates for the year Current and I got a 
qt of Rum from John Bell on Credit and I went to the meadow and mowed 
a little in the Evening and jonas and the two little boys tiirned what hay 
was Shaked out of what we mowed on Monday last 

2P' James Caldwell Junr helped me to Rake hay the greatest part of the 
afternoon we got all the hay we mowed on Monday in Wiurow and 8 
Cocks of it put up and Susanna came up and helped in the afternoon 

32^1 We Cocked up the hay we Raked yesterday and Mowed a Small 
Winrow and Raked 17 Cocks more and Cocked it 

23'^ We Stacked the hay on the burnt lott and the Dispute lott and a 
Stack by the bridge of 21 Cocks and Mowed a Small Winrow and my Wife 
had .iohn McLaughlins horse and went to William McDoells and Tho** 
Millers and she got 8 £ of Pork from Tho" Boies on Credit except one pis- 
tereen 

24th -y^e mised one of our old Sheep and could not find her 

25'!^ I got a qt of Rum from John Bell on Credit and We finished mow- 
ing in the Little meadow and we put up 20 Cocks into a Stack on the East 
side of the bridge and we Raked 8 Cocks and Rob' Giffins Wife got 10 
Cocks of hay from me for which she is to pay in butter I asked her 2 £ 
for a Cock 

26"^ was an Exceeding hot day and there was a great deal of Thunder 
and considerable of Rain in the afternoon and Evening 

27"^ the fore part of the day was Exceeding hot yet not quite Clear I 
went and turned the hay that I sent the boys to take care of yesterday but 
they did not and I carried a little more than a bushell of Rie to Ensu 
Moors mill but could not get it ground for want of Water 

28"^ it was Cloudy and Rained in the afternoon & the Night following 
a Considerable Quantity and I made two Rims for Riddells and fitted two 
more all Ready for nailing and made a Rim for a fine Sive 

29''^ I went to Matthew Littles in order to arbitrate with Majr Noice 
and Esqr Underwood between Esqr Walker and John Martain Majr Noice 
did not come and Mr Fulton of Londonderry came with a power of 
Attorney and would not Comply to do anything about the afi'air untill 
farther consideration 

30*'^ the foul weather appeared to be over it was a Clear day and we 
dryd our hay as much as we could but could not get it into Cock and was 
obliged to lave about 20 Cocks that had been cocked open that the hay was 
not dryd so as to cock up again 

31"' Mr Houston was in New boston 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

We put up a Stack of 20 Cocks in the Little meadow and it began to 
Rain by 8 or 9 of the Clock notwithstanding there was a great Dew and 
in the evening there was a Remarkable Thunder Shower aboundance of 
Lightening Thunder and Rain and Cleared up before we went to bed 

2*1 I got 12^' O: T: worth of Snuff from Esqr Rand for which I pd him 
the money 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 177 

3'' I gave Sam^ Richards a Writ and Summons against Ebenezer Hacket 
and a Summons for 9 "Witnesses the Charge is 6^/ Lawful! unpd and we 
got up our hay into Cock that has lyn so long I had about 170 Cocks in the 
meadow in all this year and I let mr Caldwell have plan of a hoiise 

4*^ we Stacked 53 or 54 Cocks that grew on the two westerly lotts in the 
Squar which finished my haying 

5th Agnas Giffin brot us £ 5^2 of butter toward the hay she had from 
me the 25th of Augt last and I went and to John Bells and him and John 
Wallace and James a Committee Gave Tho^ Warren our Note for £ 15-6-8 
LawfuU money for his building The Pulpit in our Meeting house in Bed- 
ford 

(i"i I finished makeing a Riddle & I gave Ebenezer Hacket a Summons 
for 15 Witnesses to be improved in his Case and Richards unpd and I car- 
ried to Mrs Marston in Derryfield some Worsted to be wove we Expect 
about 15 or 16 yards of it 

7th jyij. Wilkins preached in Bedford for Mr Houston 

gth I got a Gallon of Molasses from John Bell on Cr and I went to the 
Cedar Swamp above Blodgets and got some Cedar for pails 

9"i I fitted Staves for 3 pails 

10"^ I bottomed a -wide -Riddell and got some Wallnutt on Francis Bar- 
nets land for some small Truss hoops 

ll"i I held a Coiu't between Sam'' Richards and Ebenezer Hackett the 
Writ was non siiited and I got a pair of Pumps that David moor made for 
me he found the Sole leather and thread and made them and Daniel moor 
made a New Shoe for my Colt and Set it and one of mine on my Colts fore 
feet 

13"^ I went to London : derry and got a linen Wheel for my Mother in 
Law and I got a bottle of Snuff from Doer Thornton on Credit the bottle 
and Snuff weighed £ 1% the bottle weighed 13 ounces 

14tii jvjj. Houston was at Pembroke assisting Mr Mitchel at his Sacra- 
ment 

15"' I went to Merrymac and Run the line on the north side of Mathies 
land for him and in the afternoon I went and Run Round his son james 
place for which his father promised to pay the whole days wages (for 
which I charged a Dollar) in Corn and Ann Wallace and Margret Wal- 
lace came to us to Spin Wool 

16"> and 17"' in the forenoon I workt at makeing a pail and in the after- 
noon I went to Matthew Littles to hear Esqr Walker & John Martains Case 
arbitrated by Capt Barron William White and Deacon Boies who was 
Chairman the affair was Compleated about 3 of the Clock next morning 
Walker was adjudged to pay Martain 54 Dollars and the Costs of the arbi- 
trators and Witnesses and their charges in the house 

18"' Sarah Currier got 5 pound and 2 ounces of pot mettle to make her a 
flatiron of and I cleaned our flax seed we had 2 bushell and a peck and our 
boys took part of our flax to the Little meadow and began to spread it 

19"' they took up the Remainder to the Meadow and spread at it 

20"' they finished Spreading the flax and I made 2 pails this week and 
almost finished the 3d and this Day I Reed a letter from W" Peirce of 
12 



178 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

Clielnisford by my bror iu wliicli was a note against Lieiit jolin Hall witli 
a Desire to get the money 

22'! I took part of the Invoice iu all the middle being 9 f amelys and one 
Single poll 

23*1 I took the Invoice of my part on the River Rang Except Capt Goffe 
and Agnas Giffen brot us 14 £ of Butter and what she brot on the 5th In- 
stant pays for the 10 Cocks of hay she had from me the 25th of last Augt 
and I gave Capt Lovewell my note for 10«-4'i for the service of a 
Writ that he served on me last may for Ensn Benjamin Parker and I 
cleaned up 4 bushell of Rie 

24*^^ I Cleaned up 2 bushell of Rie and I sowed a bushell and near three 
pecks of Rie on the South field 

25* It began to Rain awhile before night 

26^^* it continued to Rain all day and I workt at Makeing Pails 

27"' I finished the 5th Pail sine I began to make and Margret and Ann 
Wallace went home from Spining for us Ann has been here a fortnight 
and MargTet eleven days 

29t'i I Cleaned up 2>^ bushell of Rie and I took the Invoice of the North- 
west Corner of the town and I got 2 £ of Hogs ^att from Tho* Boies on 
Credit 

30*'^ Ann Wallace came in the morning to Spin at our house and I sowed 
two bushell and about three pecks of Rie in the field by my brors and I 
Cleaned 12 bushell of Rie 

OCTOBER FIRST 

I sowed a bushell and about twenty Quarts of Rie in the field Iw my 
brors Which finished it I have sowed about 4 bushell and about 12 quarts 
on it 

2'^ This morning was a great frost and is the first we have had this year 
and I cleaned up S and a half bushell of Rie 

3^1 I Cleaned up our Peas we had about 7 bushell they had grown much 
in the field and is very bugey and the boys and I Cleaned up the last of 
our Rie being 15 bushell this day and Ann Wallace went home iu the 
Evening she has been here four days this week and james & Rob' went to 
Ensn Moors mill and got 2^ bushell of Rie ground 

4"' I plowed some above Barn and part of the peice by the Well and I 
went to John Bells a little before night and see him Flux of Potash 

5th -^Y Houston was absent from Bedford he sett out for the westward 
as he gave out on the Sabath before 

0"' was a Very Rainy day untill a little before niglit 

7'^' I Cleaned up 2 bushell of Wheat and I held a Coiu-t in the afternoon 
at Math''' Littles wherein Col Goffe was Plant and jesse McFarland and 
james Aiken of Chester were Defts neither of them appeared and they 
were Defaulted 

8"' I borrowed 50 Board nails from W'" Baruett 

9"^ My boys (viz) jonas and John went with my oxen and picked and 
Carted up W™ Barnetts Pumpins being six load and he gave me one load 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 179 

for their work aud I got a Gallon of Mollasses aud 2}4, Hundred of Nails 
from jolin Bell on Credit 

10* I finished makeing a Meal Chest 

nth I gave David Moor an Order on W" Bell for 1756 feet of Boards 
and we Cleaned up 16 bushell of Wheat and I Reed four the quantity of 
Dollars in hard money from Daniel Hall on his fathers acct for W" Peh-ce 
of Chelmsford 

13'h I went to the Cedar swam norwest from the Ell falls on Piscata- 
quog and got some Cedar for pails and and the boys took up part of our 
flax at the little meadow 

14'h our boys finished takeiug up the flax and the borrowed Mr Cald- 
wells Cart and brot it home 

15''* I workt at Amoskieg between the Pulpit and Sullivans point in 
Company with janies Patterson aud Eben"" Hacket our expences was a mug 
and half of flip and one ferriag of one man on foot 

16«h I plowed 

17'h I sowed a bushell and almost two quarts of Wheat by the Well and 
between the hoiise and barn and I went to Blodgets farm in Goffestown 
and Measm-ed a peice of land that Tweed Cleared and I got two papers of 
pins and 3 pound of Shot from Mr Blodget toward my Service 

18"* Jonas workt for Daniel Moor blacksmith and the boys and I Raised 
about 12 bushell of potatoes 

19*h was Mr Houstons Sacrament in Bedford and Mr MacGregore 
assisted him 

20'h Jonas workt for Daniel Moor blacksmith and I went to Tho^ Halls 
with Sam' Richards on acct of Timothy Ferrin Deed which gave him up 
last Saterday and sent for Ferrin but could not persuad him to give it 
back again the Deed was from Ensn McGregore to Ferrin and was lodged 
with me on a Condition between sd Ferrin and Richards 

2pt I worked in the forenoon a finding the Center of Goffestown by the 
plan and in the afternoon I attended a proprietors meeting of Goffestown 
at Capt Karrs 

22'' I went to Mr IMarstons and got 16 yards of (Jloath she filled a yard 
and half quarter with her own filling and she keept it aud she allowed 
29/3 old Tenor for the warp of it and TV she owed me since she wove a 
web for us Near two years ago & I paid her 52/s old Tenor more which 
paid the weaveiug of the 16 yards at 5/6 pr yd When I took it to her the 
6th of Sept the Warp and filling and Spools and a pillow Case weighed 8 
pound and nine ounces and I carried 5 1/2 Cutt more of filling which she 
put in which filled a yard and when I weighed the Cloath and the same 
Spool and pillow Case they weighed half a pound less than they did when 
carried it to her there was as much yarn in the 16 yards as I took there at 
first except the thrum and the warp of 1/2 a quarter and yet it weighed 
half a pound less and I settled with. Mr Russ on the note I had on him 
from Abel Webster and he pd me a peistereen and I gave him up the note 

23'' We Raised 24 bushell of Potatoes which we put into a hole in the 
Ground to be buried 

24"> was a Cold storm of Rain out of the N : E : 



180 MATTHEW patten's DIARV. 

2o"i we Raised about 14 1 2 biishell of potatoes which finished what was 
before the barn that peice produced about 78)^' bushell this year beside 
small ones and we picked the high apple tree there was about 11 bushell 
of them 

27th y^Q Raised about 2^2 bushell of potatoes which finished and we 
cleaned 16)2 bushell up the last of our Winter Wheat we had 38 bushell 
of Winter wheat this year and 3 of spring wheat 

28*'^ I went to Hollis and and carried with me lO^o yards of Cloath of 
our own and 6 yards of Mary Kidder to be pressed and the peice of Cloath 
that I took there last spring was dressed off there was Q^o yards for which 
he charged 2/s Bay old Tenor pr yd and 6 pence pr yd for pressing the 
whole Dressing the Oi., yfls and pressing the 163^^0 came to 27/8 Bay old 
Ten"^ and I paid him the money and brot home the 9}^ yards and left the 
16>2 yds there 

30*'' I went along with Messrs John Lowder and his son John and showed 
them No 25 in the Uth Rand and No 13 in the 8th Rang for which they 
gave me }.< a dollar and I with the other two selectmen spent the Evening 
at John Bells with Mr Houston and John McLaughlin junr on his Consta- 
bleship and found he had Reed of his last years Sallery £ 29 : 2 : 1 Lawfull 
money biit gave him a Rect for only £ 28 : 10 : 0}^ lawfull 

Which day was appointed for the General Thanksgiveingin the Province 
but we got no Proclamation in this town 

31^' Lieut John Moor butchered a Steer for me that weighed 324 of beaf 
and 56 of a hide the Tallow we did not weigh but he had but a little and I 
got a quart of Rum from John Bell on Credit and in the afternoon I with 
the other Selectmen met at John Bells with Mr Houston in order to settle 
with him to know the arrears he says the town is indebted to him but he 
would produce no writen acct He produced his day book for the year 
1757 and we proved that his Minuts in that time had two material fals- 
hoods in it one was that the sum due from the town to him at the settle- 
ment on the Uth of April 1757 was two hundred and twenty one or two 
pounds some od shillings old Teudr and the Settlement which he and the 
Commitees signed sd day as allso the selectmens order to him the said day 
was for 259 £ some od shillings old Ten'' which we produced the other was 
that the payment made by the Treasurer on the 3dof May said year 
toward the sum found due to him on the said Settlement by his minuts 
was only about 161 £ old Ten"" and we produced his own Rect for 200 £ 
old Ten'' said day which gave us Reason to to suspest the truth of the Rest 
of his minuts and as he would not produce a Writen acct which he said he 
could not tell how many Sabaths he was in Bedford we declined any other 
way and broke up without Settleing and I Reed an order from the Select- 
men for 1 : 19 : 2>2 for my service for the year 1765 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

I drawed a Wart for a town meeting to be held the 14th Instant but I 
dated it yesterday 

2'^ being sabathday my wife was much oiTt of Case and I got a quart of 
Rum from John Bell on Credit 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 181 

S^ I held a Court at Math^ Littles wherein John Raud Esqr was Plant 
and Hugh Mc Allow was Deft the Deft was defaulted by not appearing 
The debt was 0:7:6 and the Cost was : 13 : 3 Lawf uU money and before 
I held the Court I worked at makeing a back door and the boys workt at 
takeing up Timiips 

4'h I finished makeing and hanging the back Door and in the afternoon 
I went to Tho'* Halls Vendue and I tarried over night & assisted in take- 
ing the Notes for what was sold and I spent the next day there on his 
affairs I got home about ten oClock at night and I let Daniel Moor have 6/ 
shillings Silver old Tenor 

6"^ I got a hook and Steeple from Daniel Moor the Iron was mine and 
was Drawed by Capt Karr 

7"^ and 8"^ I put the sashes into 10 -windows for Deacon Gillmor in his 
new house and on the 8th Daniel Moor made me a Round Sliave of a peice 
of an old Syth of mine he bended it and Drawed the tang for the handle 

10"^ Set out for Mr Livermors to sue Sani^^ Derbens notes and Col Goife 
and Esqr Emerson for my services in laying out Piermont last faull and 
had the ^vrits filled out accordingly and I paid William Barnett fifty nails 
which I borrowed from him the 8th of last Octr 

1 1"^ I near finished makeing a Churn 

12*'^ I was in Goffestown along with Capts Walker and Goffealaying out 
the 25 acres that was Reserved in the 140 acre lott No 60 for Mr Simons and 
Dinned at Capt Martains 

13"' I made a binii in the outside Cellar and packed our Winter apples 
being 9 bushell 

14"' was a town meeting which I attended & we obtained a Discharged 
from Mr Houston from his first settlement to the 25th of March 1761 after 
a great fateague "with him and the town Voted to Rais 3 £ to supply the 
sixty pounds Note of tax money that was to be given up to him and I 
gave him a Rect on the Note which is to given up on the Delivery of the 
Note 

lo"* I Exchanged the above Note with Mr Houston for the Rect I gave 
him yesterday and I spent half the day about the Notes for the tax money 

16*'' Mr Houston was in New boston 

17"^ I held a Court between jos George and Eben'' Johnson Esqr Rand 
appeared for George they settled it by arbitration of Capt Barron my bror 
Sam" and Eben'' Hacket we fateagued till almost Day break before we 
broke up 

18*'' I went to CaptKarrs and attend a propr meeting of Goffestown and 
in the Evening Timothy Ferrin gave back the Deed he had from Ensn 
McGregore into my hands and I took the acknowledgement of a Deed 
from Capt Martain to Henry Snow unpaid and the deed was lodged with 
me untill it be paid and my boys carried about 12 bushell of Ashes to John 
Bell 

19*'' Jonas took Ki^g bushell of Ashes to John Bell and I finished makeing 
Gleaks to Churn with 

20*'' I went to Deacon W'" Moors and Run the East and South lines of 
the lott he had from jas Gregg and the line between him and his bror 



182 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Daniel aucl I got a treik and spindle and wliorle from him and ^Ye offset 
my Running them lines for them and in the Evening I went to Daniel 
Moors to a Training and Capt Allds paid me two pistereens for my Run- 
ing the line of his home lot by the mast Roading place 

23'! I gave John Bell a Johanna and 7 Dollars of tax money to pay the 
joyners toward building the Pulpit and I borrowed 3 ounces of Glue that 
was left from the Pulpit 

24*^^ I with the other two Selectmen met at John Bells and began to 
make the Rates and tarried at there all night & I borrowed 6 sheets of 
paper from John Bell 

25''^ we finished about the middle of the day and Patrick Taggart brot 
me a letter from the Commissioners to Capt Parkers Estate and Tony 
came with him to get me to go to Lay off widow Parkers thirds and 1 went 
to Litchfield and Lodged at Lieut John Parkers 

26'-^^ I Run a line for Widow Caldwell for which I charged a Dollar impaid 
she promised to pay me and last night I had the Stirup and Stirup leather 
that was on my Saddle stole at Deacon Kennedys as my horse stood by the 
horse house 

28*'^ I went at Timothy Ferrins desire to Col Goffes to give Evidence in 
his case with Richards but he did not come I waited untill dark and I got 
two Coppers worth of snuff from Esq Rand and I pd him the money 

29"^ I went to Londonderry to Esqr Hollands to give evidence for Sam" 
Richards by a Summons agt Timothy Ferriu he did not come nor Ferrin 
neither Capt Karr told me there that they had left their case to arbitration 
and then I went to Mr Livermores and he paid me 14-10-6 Lawfull money 
on the acct of Sam" Derben out of which I pd him 9/6 Lawfull for a Writ 
that Ensn Parker sued me with to last June Court so that the money reed 
to bring home was 14-1-0 Lawfull and come to Doer Thorntons and paid 
him half a Dollar which paid a bottle of Snuff I had from him on the 13th 
of last Sept and half of another bottle of snuff" which I got from him now 
and I owe him one shilling La-svf ull for the other half yet and I came to 
Wilham Morrows and lodged there the night following 

30*'^ I came home 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I went to Capt Karrs to pay him some money but he was not at home 
and I did not leave any for him and I came to Math^^ Littles to hold a 
Court between Esqr Rand Plant and David Currier James Patterson ap- 
peared for Rand by a power they settled themselves and the Evening on 
town affairs untill midnight I had a mug of flip 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 1st 1766 

2"! I wTit a deed from james Vose to james Patterson of no 17 & 18 in 
the 8th Rang in this town unpaid and in the Evening Silas Walker sent 
for me to go to Col Goffes to administer some Oaths Relateing Jeuney Conn 
and him and I went and spent the Evening untill two or 3 of the morning 
Jenuey would not take what Col Goffe and Capt Barron made her but said 
she would let judgment pui-sue him and never would ask him for anything 
but would mantain the child herself 



3IATTHEW patten's DIARY. 183 

gd yf-Q got, Capt Goftes Cart and the boys went one turn to the meadow 
for hay with oiu" own oxen 

4tii -went one turn to the meadow with our oxen 

5"i went two tnrns to the meadow with our oxen 

6"* we had one pair of Clogstous oxen and went two turn to the meadow 
and I went to Daniel Moors mill and I took 1}4 hushell of wheat and I 
brot 1 1 2 bushell of Rie that was taken there some time ago 

8"' the boys went two turn with our own oxen to the meadow 

9 '* I sent 5/11 Bay old Tenor with james Patterson to Boston to buy 1 
hundred of fram Nails & 1 hundred of pail nails and I gave John Bell the 
Pi-ovince and Ministers Lists and Wan-ants and I got an Almanack from 
him and I paid him six Coppers for it and the boys brot one jagg of hay 
with our own oxen from the meadow and in the evening it fell about 2 
inches of Snow and then it Rained Considerable and I got some Clay at 
Pattersons 

IQth ■\^as a proprietors meeting of this town at Math^^ Littles which I 
attended and was Chosen with my bror Sam^i and SeanP- Vose to settle the 
Propriety line between this town and Amherst and had a mug of flip on 
Credit and Daniel Moor mended the tang of my large hay fork and made 
a new Ring for the handle 

11*'^ Daniel Moor Made two new shoes of my Iron and set 4 shoes on my 
Colt the other 2 was my own and I went to Capt Karrs to pay him some 
money but he was not at home 

12*'^ I went Hollis and got Mary Riddells 6 yards of cloath that I car- 
ried to Frenches to be pressed he sent the 10)^2 J^s of our own that I took 
to him along with hers and I got the Ox hide that Fisk tanned for me for 
the tanning I pd him 4-6-0 Bay old Tenor being one shilling Bay old 
Ten' pr pound and I got half a pint of Rum from him to drink as I came 
home for which I paid him 2/s bay old Ten"" and I bot 2 Dozn of Frost 
Fish from a Watertown man for which I pd him ^^ bay old Ten' Mrs 
French gave me my Dinner and I gave Esqr Hobarts wife the Note I have 
of Eben"' Farley of 1-4-0 Lawf ull money to give to her husband to try to 
get the money and I came to my Cosen William Pattens and I got my sup- 
per and came home about 3 or 4 of the Clock in the morning and I brot 
two sides of upper leather from Fisk for David Moor My ox hide when 
gxeen weighed 86 £ and it made 34 ^ £ of tenned leather 

13"' I settled my order from the selectmen for last year being 1-19-2 }4 
Lawfull money with John McLaughlin junr Constable and alowed him to 
pay 0-12-10 Lawfull money of the order to my bror Samuel 

15"* Daniell Moor Mended a link of one Chain and the Hook of another 
and I took a Side of Sole Leather <-o David Moor and he cut the sole stuff 
for a pair of Duble sold Shoes for jonas he found the upper leather for a 
pair of Vamps he had of my Leather for David Ciu-rier and in the Evening 
I went to Esqr Rands and Settled with Capt John Stark and Capt Karr 
on my Note that I gave to Capt Stark the 8th of jany 1760 for 200 Dollars 
and with what I had paid Capt Stark in Cash and an Order of 58 Dollars 
Capt Karr drawed on me which I answered to james Cochrane and 32 
Dollars I paid Capt Karr this Evening in Cash Reduced the Debt to 37-14-0 



184 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

Lawful! niouey and the lutrest is wlioly paid off to this day for which 37- 
14-0 lawfull money I gave Capt Karr my n6te ou demand with lutrest 
iiutill paid 

16"' I mended oiir hearth and took leatlier to Sam" Patterson to make 
shoes 

17*'^ I built a back to our chimuy and in the Evening I was summoned 
to appear at Esqr Rands to give Evidence in Silas Walker and jenny 
Conns case and I got home a little before day break 

18'^ I went to Clenches with Sam^i Vose Capt Barron and Lieut Andi-ew 
Bradford to Settle and Run the line between Sowhegan East and Sowhe- 
gan West and lodged at Clenches 

19"' It began to snow the Evening before and Snowed all this day the 
wind about North and we broke up after waiting till 3 of the Clock my 
expences was 1 3d of a dollar and I lent Samuell Vose 12^/ Bay old Ten'' to 
pay his expences ahd we came home in the Evening the snow was up to 
our horses knees it snowed all the night following tho moderately untill S 
or 9 a Clock the next morning 

20"' I sent a pistereen to Math"' Littles by jonas and got two pound of 
Shiigar the snow is now 22 inches deep and very solid and we broke the 
path toward the little meadow half way 

22'! We broke quit through to the Meadow and I had a pair of oxen 
from Mr Caldwell from his house to the meadow and back as far as to the 
topp of the long Silanting hill and we brot home about 2 or 3 Cocks of hay 

23^ I finished makeing two pails for Widow Bell and sent them to her by 
jonas toward wdiich I Reed two pound of butter some time ago I supposs 
near or quite a month 

24th I ^.^(3 ^-p a pail and shaved it and my Wife was taken very much out 
of Case and I got a quart of West India Rum and 5 ig ounces of Loaf shu- 
gar from Math"' Little on credit and old Mrs Currier and young Mrs Cm-- 
rier came and tarried at our house over night 

25th J got 2 Quarts of New England Rum and a one fourth of a pound of 
Alspice on Credit of Esquire Rand and my wife was little Easeyer 

26"^ I sent a pistereen to Math^^ Little by John and got £ 2 of shugar and 
I went to Lutwyches and I got £ 2 of Rezins a 12V anfl lialf an ounce of 
Ciuemon a S/s and half an ounce of Nuttmeg a 6V all Bay old Ten"" and I 
paid the money for them and I went to Doer Parker and got some powders 
from him and spoke to him to come next day and see my wife 

27th The Doer came and see my wife and left some Elizr of Yiter and 
some powder and and some hartshorn and levander and a bit of Salve to 
spread a plaster this day was an Exceeding high wind at N: W: and very 
cold and I went to Ensu Moors mill and brot home a bushell of Rie and as 
much Wheat that Jonas took there yesterday 

28"' was very cold being Sabathday 

29"^ jonas brot one load of hay from the meadow and I brot another both 
out of McCleary Lott and I Drawed a Writ and Summons for James Cald- 
well Senr (vs) Andrew Walker very cold 

30"' very cold and Exceeding windy Sleded hay 

3P' the cold continued sleded hay 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 185 

JANUARY FIRST 1767 

the cold coutinued sleded hay 

2'^ the cold coiitiuued sleded hay 

3<^ the night before the most cold of pny we had yet and I went to james 
Gilhnors and got three pecks of Indian corn which paid me off for my 
Runing lines for him on the 28th of last Febry I had Reed half a bushell 
of rie from him the 19th of last may on the same Acct and I went to Dea- 
con James Moors and got £ }4 of Tea a 18/9 & 7 £ of shugar a 20V & a 
pound of snuff a 11/3 all Bay old Ten'' that he brot from Boston for me the 
amounted to 2-10-0 I sent 2-14-0 and he paid me the change being 4"/ Bay 
old Ten' and we finished sleding hay from the Little meadow and jonas 
got 4 bushell of Rie ground at Ensn Moors mill and I got the corn I liad at 
Gillmor ground at Ensign Moors mill this day the cold some considerable 
abated 

5"^ was more moderate in Respect of the cold and it began to Rain 

6*'i was a great Rain all day and ye snow disolved a considerable deal 

7"^ was fair weather and Exceeding pleasant and moderate 

8^^ Still very pleasant and Moderate and I attended the proprietors meet- 
ing of this town at John Bells by adjournment & adjourned further to the 
Monday the 9tli of Febry next at 2 of the clock afternoon to the same 
place 

9^'i I got a pair of shoes from Sam^ Patterson that he made for John and 
another for Bob all my stuff and I got a quart of Rum from Math"' Littles 
wife on credit and spent some hours with Bob Spear and Moly Smith and 
got the partys to leave the affair to men 

10"! I had 2 pair of Oxen from james Patterson and we hauld 4 Loggs to 
Capt Goffes Mill we went 3 times with Pattersons oxen and 3 with our 
own 

12t'i I had Pattersons 2 pair of Oxen and we hauled 5 loggs to Capt 
Goffes mill we went 3 times with Pattersons oxen and 4 with our own and 
a small logg jonas took in there before makes 10 loggs we have there now 
in all 

13'*^ I went Esquire Rands and Arbitrated with Capt Walker and Capt 
Moore between Timothy Ferrin and Jonathan Currier we spent the whole 
night following on the Business without sleep and finished the affair Next 
morning after sunrise next morning the partys settled their Diferance 
themselves 

14"> I finished makeing Cooper a joynter for Whitefield Gillmor 

lo"i I carried the joynter for Whitfield as far as Capt Goffes and it 
snowed a little in the morning and afterward it Rained and made a little 
shell of a Crust and stuck tight to the Ice underneath 

16*'^ jonas took 4 loggs to the mill wnth our own Oxen and at noon I went 
to John Bells on town accts with Capt Barron and Ensn Moor met us in 
the Evening 

17"' I had one pair of Capt Goffes Oxen and we drawed 7 loggs to the 
mill we took one logg with our own oxen before we got Goffes 

19"' Sam" Patterson sowed on a pair of Soles on my pumps of my leather 
and thread and I held a Court at John Bells james Caldwell of Bedford 



186 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Plant and Aucli-ew Walker of New Boston Deft The plant was Non siiit 
for his not Endorsing the Writ 

20*'i I had a pair of Oxen from james Patterson and we took 6 loggs to 
the mill one logge we took with our oxen to the mill in the morning before 
we got Pattersons and I went as fai* as to Math^' Littles to see Lient INIoore 
on town affairs and met with him there and I had a jill of Rum on credit 

21*>t I went and Notified Richard McAllester and James Little to meet 
the selectmen tomorrow and went to Francis Barnetts after town papers 

22*1 I went and sawed the half of a Red oak logg at Capt Goffes mill for 
a loom and in the Evening to John Bells and Settled with Lieut Moor on 
his Oonstableship for the year 1764 and gave him a Clearance and settled 
with James Little on his Treasiu-ership for the year 1761 and gave him a 
Rect for what Rest appeared and there Remaind old Tenor uncounted for 
and made a further settlement with Richard McAllester on his constahleship 
and gave him a Rect for what he has paid it was in the latter part of the 
night when we finished our Expences was 36V old Ten'^ Capt Barron 
assisted me 

24"» Jonas workt for Jonathan Currier 

26"^ I went to John Gillmors shop and got him to begin a blade of a 
jacknif and a butcher kuif 

27'h I went to John Bells and met Capt Barron and we placed Mr Hous- 
tons Demand and Avhat he has Reed in order and I held a Court between 
james Caldwell and Adrew Walker and Caldwell was Non suited and I 
drawed one Writ to be tried the 10th of February next and John Bell served 
it Directly I got home about 2 of the Clock in the morning 

28"^ I cut 2 load of Wood 

29*"^ I went to Jonathan Chamberlains and got about 6 quarts of salt 
from him and I went to Sam'' Boyds and I got a bushell of his Salt from 
his bror Nath" 

30'^ I butchered our hoggs and in the Evening I went to Capt Barrons 
and we Writ a letter to Mr Houston and I got 4 Sceans of mohair from 
Esqr Rand 

31'*^ I sent the letter to Mr Houston pr my Bob and the after part of the 
day I spent on Jonathan Cm-riers affair who was taken with an execution by 
Tho" Eliot Depity Sheriff' the sheriff took his Neat Cattle and a liogg and 
his Gun I took the Cattle and the Gun into my custody and half the hogg 
which I am to be forthcoming for Except Accident the value of what I 
Reed the sherrif agreed to be 30 Dollars and the sheriff and Esqr Fowler 
tarried over night Avith us 

FEBRUARY 

1**' Mr Houston was in New boston 

2<i I hauled two loggs to the mill and I brot home the Stuff for the Loom 

3'^ I went norwest of the meeting house and cut a tree to make Cart 
fellows and I had John McLaughlins oxen to help me to bring it into the 
path and I took it to the mill afterwards with my own Oxen 

4th I -vvent and brot home the butt of the tree I cut yesterday for Cart 
hubbs & John Kidder got ten bushell of ashes for Esqr Rand 



MATTHE^y patten's diary. 187 

o^^ I made a Cooper joj^uter for Hugh Orr lie found the stick 

6"^ a very cold day and the night following also and I paid William Bar- 
net half a bushell of Salt that I borrowed last June 

T"> I borrowed lOV Bay old Ten'^ from John Bell and went to james Lit- 
tles and left 59/3 Bay old Ten' Ten'r with his wife to send to Boston pr 
Jenny Little and Rob"^ Gillchrist to buy a pair* of Tow Cards 7 £ of shugar 
and the Remainder in Tea 

9*'> I made a pattern for a fiddle for Ceaser Barron and in the afternoon 
was a i^roprs meeting of this to"\^ai at John Bells which I attended and it 
was farther adjourned untill the 18th of March Next to the house of Math^ 
Little and in the Evening I filled a Writ for Eben'^ Hacket against 
james Eaton to be tryd at Math^^' Littles the 23d Instant at 1 of the Clock 
afternoon 

10"> I held a Court at Math^^ Littles John Rand Esqr Plant Rob' Spear 
Deft the Plant was Non suited and another wherein james Caldwell was 
Plant and Andrew Walker was Deft after hearing the partys and their 
Evidences and Reed their papers I adjourned the Court untill the 23d In- 
stant at one of the Clock in the afternoon to Matthew Littles 

12'^ Alexander Orr and Jonathan Currier Swingled flax for me Orr 
s^\^ng•led 10^ and Cm-rier 6 and I went at John Bells Request to his 
house to do some Writings relating the Potash among the partners but 
only took miuuts to draw by and I got 5 quarts of Molasses from him on 
credit and after supper I came home late in the night 

13"^ I Avi'it the articles of agreement Relating to the Potash between 
John Bell and William Parry and I went to John Bells and Parry promised 
to pay me half a dollar for his part and Rob* Ushar paid me the other half 
Dollar in the following manner (viz) I had from Ushar 2 year this winter 
5 Quarts of Molasses came to 3 £ old Tenor and he Reed 40^' old Tenor on 
my account for aprize Wart and the half dollar for this days service made 
5 £ O : T : he owed me and he paid me the 40V which made us clear of all 
demands on either side & I paid John Bell the lOV Bay old Tenor that I 
borrowed the 7th Instant 

14th J gQ^ .^ pah- of Tow Cards and 7 £ of shugar and an ounce of Tea at 
James Littles that Rob' Gillchrist and Jenney Little brot from Boston I 
sent 57/3 Bay old Tenor and what things they brot came to 47/6 and I 
got no change and I got a b : b : of Cydar from Francis Barnet on Credit 
and I hauld a pine log to Capt Gott'es mill. 

16"' I went to John Bells with the other selectmen and Jas Caldwell jos 
scobey jas Lyon to settle with Mr Houston we obtained a clearance from 
him to the town for the year 1761 but could not get a settlement for any 
more we broke up between two and three of the clock in the morning our 
Expences was 5-13-9 old Tenor 

17"' Capt Lovewell came with a Writ & Summons from Ensu Parker 
and the Remainder of my note and I gtive new notes I gave 2 notes of 35/ 
and 2 of 30/ and one of 28/9 lawfuU money and the Interest was counted 
and put into said note and I gave Capt Lovewell my note for this writ and 
for the service of a writ last May for which I had given him a note before 
but took it up and put that and this in one being 18/ Lawfull all said 



188 MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIAKY. 

notes is on demand with lutrest till pd and I hatild 3 pine logs to Goffes 
mill 

lS"i I hanld 3 pine logs to Goffes mill 

igtii J ^yj^^ a^ Matthew Littles and Racket and Eaton settled their affair 
and Hacket paid me 3/ Lawfiill for the writ & summons and a pistereen 
for my service this day they changed Rects 

20^'^ I hanld an oak logg to the mill and broke the way to haul fence 
logs across the field before the house 

21st William Morrow brot a new woosted & wool Gown to my wife that 
her sister Jean Tolford sent her and a peticot to polly that Peggy Tolford 
sent to her new also 

23<i I held a court between james Caldwell and Andrew^ Walker Walker 
prayd a Continuance and I granted it untill Thursday the 5th day of 
March next at ten of the Clock in the forenoon to meet at John Bells 

24"! I went mth Capt Barron to John Bells at his desire and we with 
James Patterson & one John Warren measured his potash Kittles by 
Joseph Scobeys Pewter half gallon and found that they contained 45 Gal- 
lons Each by that measure Capt Barron and I charged 1 shilling Lawfull 
each and I gave him a notification to Rob' Thompson to hear some affi- 
davits taken on Friday next at John Bells at ten of the clock in the fore- 
noon and I charged him a shilling Lawfull for it 

25"i John McLaughlin junr Swingled flax for us and jonas cut wood for 
his mother on his acct and I borrowed half a sheet of paper from Jonathan 
Curriers wife and I wTit a Deed from James Moor to his Bror John of this 
town and took the acknowledgement and would not take anything for it 
on acct of former favours and I swaped away my colt to David Mc Kinney 
for a little Dutch horse and had 11 Dollars to boot he paid me 8 and gave 
me an order on Daniell Quig for 2I2 Dollars and another on David Mc- 
Cleary for % a Dollar 

26''^ I went to Ensign Parkers at Hollis to pay him a Johanna but he 
would not take it untill I could get more and I got 2 bushell of corn from 
James Mathies for my Runing lines for him and his son james the 15th of 
last Septr my expences this day was 20/ old Tenor at Mathies and I pd the 
money and John McLaughlin Junr swingled flax for us he swingled 8^2 - 

27U1 I -went to John Bells and took Capt Barrons and James Patterson 
Depositions in Bells & Thompsons case about the Potash Kittles and I 
gave a summons for Patterson in the morning all unpd my charge is a 
Dollar and jonas cutt wood for John McLaughlin for his swingling flax for 
me yesterday and I paid John Bell the remainder of the new tenor part of 
my pro\'ince Rates I paid him 20/ old Tenor before and I paid him a 3 £* 
this day and 3^2 Coper 

28*'i I workt at makeing a Bedsted 

MARCH FIRST 
I attended the funeral of old Mr Tho** Vickery who Departed this life 

The 27th ult about 10 or 11 of the Clock forenoon 

2*1 Hugh Campbell came to oui* house to make me a Suit of Cloaths 

3*^ I went to London Derry to young John Pinkertons and I got 2I2 

Dozen of Coat Buttons and 2 Dozen of jacket buttons the coat was 20V 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 189 

old Tenor pr Dozen and the jacket was 10/ pr Dozen and I pd the money it 
was a very Rainy day 

4th ^Q opened our Potatoes that was buired and they were soimd and 
good and we went to Goffes mill and haulld of a parcel of boards we have 
22 pine logs sawed out of this winters haiilling 

5 I held a Court between james Caldwell and Andrew Walker I 
adjudged Caldwell to receive £ 1-9-0 Lawful! and costs from Walker and 
Walker appealed and Hugh Campbell finished making a Suit of Oloaths 
for me and Capt Barron and I Drawed the Wart for the March meeting 
and gave John Wallace and order for 14-14-0 old Tenor being for his time 
.as a Comtee man about the Piilpit and what things he found toward it 

6"^ about noon I went and got james Patterson to help me make at 2 
bed cords and I had a qt of Rum from John Bell on credit 

7* he came after breakfast and we workt till night we lacked almost 2 
threads the length of both Ropes 

gth J gQ^; a qt of rum from Matthew Little on Credit and I finished 
makeing the Bedcords there was about 30 fathom it takes 13 fathom for a 
bed cord and a thread aboiit 104 feet is sufficient to make it and Saxa'* 
Patterson sowed on a pair of half soles on jonases Shoes 

10*'^ I new faced Hugh Orrs joynter and workt at makeing a new one 
for him 

13*'^ I went to old Mrs Vickerys and writ the writings for the settlement 
of the Estate among the heirs for which they gave me two bushell of corn, 
home ■with me I got home a little before break of day 

14tii I got one and one half bushell of the corn ground at Ensign Moors 
Mill 

16^*^ I had James Pattersons oxen helping me a little more than half the 
day drawing fenceing logs across the old field 

17"^ I drawed second logs with my own oxen and horse Matthew Little 
gave me a breachem and lent me a pair of Heams 

18'^^ was a proprietors meeting of this town at Matthew Little which I 
attended and I got a pair of Calfskin Vamps from David Moor for my 
Wifes shoes 

19*'^ Samuell Patterson went home by my hoixse from the meeting yes- 
terday and cutt out the sole stuff for my wifes shoes and Sole stuff for a 
pair for me that is out sole stuff for each pair there was insole and heel 
stiTff at his house and I had Matthew Littles and James Pattersons oxen, 
and Capt Goflfes oxen part of the time and we drawed in onto the ways 
12 pine logs and one oak of mine and tliree oakes for Goffe I have only ^ 
white pine loggs more to Draw in & I had a ewe Died the night before 
who was taken last saterday 

20*h we hauld the top logs for the fence across the old field 

21"*' in the morning it snowed and then rained hard the greatest part of 
tlie day 

22'^ I heard Mr Moor preach in Beflford in ye forenoon from the 17th 
verse of the 32d chapter of Isiah and in the afternoon from the 9th of the 
Hebrews and 27th verse the night following we had a lamb die that was 
lambd the niglit before 



190 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

23'! I went to old Mr Blodgets and got from him 27 £ of Dry fisli 26/ Bay 
old Tenor Tweed owes me for measnreing a peice of laud wliieli I alow to 
be offsett toward them and the Remainder I OAve for being 14/6 Bay old 
Tenor a 1/6 per £ 

24"^ I hanld my boards off the mill and a Small Stock of oak Plank and 
I got a black Cherry the stick sawed that grew in Pattersons land on the 
brook Samuel Patterson cut it it had lyan 5 or 6 year and was Consider- 
ablely damaged and David Moor sewed on a pair of soles on my pumps the 
leather was mine and the thread was his 

25*'^ was our annual meeting and I was chosen Clerk and secondd 
selectman and John Bell gave the last years Selectmen a Dinner at free 
coast 

26"^ On the 24th I lent Daniell Moore blacksmith my horse to go to 
Amherst for iron and he returned the 25th in the afternoon to the meet- 
ing house and there he tyed him to the fence and at Evening he went off 
to John Bells and tarried there all night and jas Wallace was at Mr Hous- 
tous who gave the horse same hay in the morning and afterward turned 
him loose in the field to pick what he coiild find and Moore came after 
him about 9 of the clock and about 10 or 11 brot him home 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM THE 26th OF MARCH AND 
PART OF SAID DAY PART OF WHICH DAY IS 
IN THE FOREGOING BOOK 

and he told me at Bells in the evening that the horse was broke lose 
when he left the meeting house which was not so for Deacon Gillmore 
saw him there after the meeting was adjourned aboiit 10 of the clock I 
set of to look for the horse and went to Moors shop and found he had not 
come home from thence I went to the meeting house and toward John 
Bells I met with James Wallace who told me the horse was tied all night 
and told me he gave me a lock of hay in the morning and then let him 
lose and Moor told him he had been looking for the horse all night and 
presently after he said he told my joas to take him home the Evening 
before 

27"^ I found the symptons of ague in my flesh 

28"^ I was obliged to ly in bed and the Rose broke out in the inside of 
my left leg on the Calf and partly on the backside my wife tryd to sweat 
me but could not and jonas was much out of case allso with a Cold and 
lay by all day 

29"^ jonas and I lay all day 

30*'^ we felt a little better and in the afternoon I attended our annual 
meeting by adjournment whicli finished it 

3P' I had a new Shoe set on my horses off fore foott where there was a 
new one set on last Tuesday and was off on Thursday att Daniel Moors 
shop by Mr Ross and I went to Litchfield to divide of widow Parkers 
thirds and I got a 5 pail Kittle from Esqr Rand at £ 20 old Tenor price it 
Aveighed 67 £ lodged at ■widow Parkers 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 191 

APRIL FIRST 

Divided or Run "widow Parkers 3ds off and lodged at William Pattersons 

2'^ I run the line between liim and Lieut Heldretli and then went and 
run a peice of a line for sd Hildi-eth and Bixby I charged 10 / Bay O : T : 
and I owed him 15/ Bay Old Tenor for half a bushell of Rie I had from 
his son David last year and I paid him 5/ Bay O : T : with the 10/ I Earnd 
pd the 15/ I owed for the half bushell of Rie and I came home in the after- 
noon in company with Whitcomb that Silas Barns sent to get a Deed of 
our Right in No 6 and I signed the Deed and he paid the value of 110 Dol- 
lars in Gold and Silver one quarter was mine 

• 3'i I went to Hollis and paid Ensn Benj° Parker 24 Dollars being 20s/ 
Bay old Tenor more than I owed him and he could not pay it to me for 
want of change and I lodged at Esqr Cumings. 

4"> I went to Mr jas Gordons shop in Dunstable and I got one ii'on pot 
ig lb Tea one Quire of paper one bottle of snuff without the bottle 1% 
Chalk and ue sive bottom and 5 Qts of Molasses came to 5-14-8 Bay old 
Tenor and I paid him 3 Dollars and I owed him something before and the 
3 dollars Reduced it that I owe him 3-2-5 bay old Tenor and I came home 

gth I -y^rrit; ^ Deed from Deacon Smith to his son james and aclaiowl- 
edged it and a note for 80 Dollars to the deacon from james and would 
not take anything for my pains and I sent james to Tho^ Eliot on acct of 
Curriers Cattle and a letter with him for Eliot 

7"' I went to Ensn Moors Mill and got l^o bushell of Wheat and as miich 
Rie ground and I came home by the spruce swamp by Taggarts and got 
some spruce 

9th I -^ent with William Patterson of Litchfield to New boston to help 
him to settle some affau-s between him and Andrew Walker but Walker 
was not at home I lodged at James Phersons 

10*'^ I came home & Major Tolford and John Caldwell Lodged at my 
house 

11"^ I went to London Derry with Major Tolford and I settled my note 
with james Cochrane and I paid Major Tolford his part and his bror Will- 
iams part of the price of our No G Right W'" Tolford lent his part to me 
and I pd it to the Major an acct of Cochrane and I gave my note to the 
Major for 9-2-6 and I sent a note to William Tolford for 8-5-0 which 2 
sums makes what I owed Cochrane and 19/0 La Mo of Extraordinary Int- 
rest which 8-5-0 was William Tolfords part of said right and I paid Major 
Tolford 4-10-0 old Tenor for my part of the Charges on sd Right and the 
said Sum out of Caldwells part of the money and the Remainder of Cald- 
wells part of the price of said Right I pd to Rob* MacMurphy for him 
there was 4 Guines that wanted 19 grains of Weight Which the Major 
took and is to be made up to him being 7/11 Bay old Tenor each we expect 
that the man that paid it to us will make it up and I lodged at Rob' Mac- 
murphys 

12"^ I went to Mr Davidsons Meeting and heard him preach from the 
54th verse of the 119th Psalm and I lodged at W'» Morrows 

13"^ I got 1}4 bushell of Corn from William Morrow and I got it ground 
at Col Goffes mill as I came home yesterday Mr Houston was absent 



192 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

from Bedford and in the afternoon I went to the Eaising of Ensn Mc- 
Laiiglilins Barn 

14"^ I divided the boards with Capt Goffe that he Sawed for me this 
spring there was 33 logs that we divided there is one white pine stock yet 
to divid and 2 logs of white pine yet to Saw that Goffe is to have all the 
boards my half is to pay 145 feet I borrowed from him last spring and 
if there is any over he is to pay me for them again I let him have 78 feet 
of white oak 2^0 plank which paid him for his sawing plank for my Cart 
fellows and Stiiff for a loom and maple I have there now to make a Bed- 
stead of and a Cherry tree that he sawed into boards he sawed and made a 
Crooked axle tree for his Wheels the stick was mine and I am to have it 
as soon as I get a pair of wheels. 

lo"> was the Province Fast and I went to Blodgets farm to sam" Blod- 
get and carried him a coppy of the proprs Names of Goft'stown and 
of the Votes relateing his farm and charged him nothing and he gave me 
30 Sj £ of Dry polock fish a present 

16"^ I finished sowing the peice between the house and barn with peas I 
sowed a bushell and 5 quarts on it and Mr Eliot the sherrift' came here 
about Curriers Cattle and tarried over night 

17"^ he went away but continued the cattle still in my Custody for a 
month and I got what hay Currier had which was about 3 Cocks and that 
not good it had lost the Colour before he got it home last summer and it 
took Rain in the Hovil and was Qute yelow and my wife pd Mai-gi-et and 
Ann Wallace for their spining at our house last faull in flax at 4 £ pr week 
each amounting to 18 £ of flax 

18"^ I paid Capt Love well 3 Dollars that I gave him my note for being 
for the service of 2 "s^Tits and one of the ^^Tits the one was a Court va-it 
that he served for Ensn Parker to last June court the other was a justices 
last Febry from Ensign Parker also but Parker denies that he alowed him to 
fill a ^vl•it for me only to come and if I had the money to Receive it and if 
I had not for me to Renew^ the note the Court -svrit I pd Mr Livermore for 
last faull 

20"^ my boys and I laid up the Log fence across the old field before the 
house 

2P' I took a Bill of Sale frt)m Jonathan Currier of an Oval Table Chest 
of Drawers a great Chau- and G painted Chairs and a new Coverlit in the 
room of his Cow which I let him have to give milk to his Wife it began to 
Rain about the time the Moon Quartered 

22'i Rained hard in the morning the wind at about E : S : E : and blowed 
considerable hard and Rained a considerable and I entered the March 
meeting Wart and Votes in the town book 

23<i I went to Dunstable and got }4 a bushell of barly Malt at Taylors 
for which I paid X of a dollar and I got 1 Dozn knifs and forks a 2-10-0 1 
ounce of Indigo a 9/2 £ red wood a 5/3^ £ of Powder a 8/3 Hundi-ed of 
Board nails a 22/(5 5 Quarts of Molasses a 20/ ^.. £ of Glow a 4/6 and i^ pint 
of Rum 1/3 all bay old Tenor from Ovid Houston and I pd him a Dollar 
toward them and I got 1 ounce of Onion Seed from Mrs Harwood for 
which I paid her 4/1 Bay old Tenor 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 193 

24"^ I paid Capt Goffe 21 nails that joiias borrowed this week and I had 
1 pair of Clogstons oxen and we brot home 2 stocks and 2 boards from 
Capt Goffes mill measuring 530 feet 

25"* I finished makeing a Bedsted for ourselves 

27th ^g jif^fi Qii^Y Heifer Calve in the morning a Cow Calf and james 
Patterson Gelded 2 pigs and 2 Lambs and a boar that we kept over winter 

28"' I Drawed a Complaint and warrant for Hugh Rowan against jaf- 
frey Donahu james Riche and Alexander Graham for an Assault and 
Battrey with 5 Supeneas unpaid the charge is 5V LawfuU money and I 
got 5^-2 £ of Veal of Jonathan Curriers Calf a 3 V6d pr £ old Tenor from 
Esqr Rand or Currier as it may be settled and I went to the saw mill and 
my Bror Sam^i hauUing logs and I got his 2 i?air of Oxen to help me haul 
home 38 7 feet of Boards on Capt Goffes Draughts and I went to Jonathan 
Chaniberlins to Run lines for him tomorrow 

29"' I Measured from the Southeasterly corner of the bounds of land 
Chamberlin has now in the law to the River on the point S 85 W two 
miles and 32 Rods And we came came to the River at the Corner of Litch- 
field a Red oak tree Marked in McNights field and I came to Col Goffes 
and I measured 7 acres that he let Esqr Rand have where Rands house 
stands and John Got 3 bushell of Indian Corn from Moses Vickery and got 
1J4 bushell of it ground at Col Goffes mill 

MAY FIRST 

I workt at Makeing a Chest to carrie to amoskieg. 

2*1 I got Capt Walkers Spade and I diged our Garden 

3<i our Bell Cow Calved a Bull Calf 

4"' John McLaughlin Junr got 2 pigs for two I got from him last Sum- 
mer and I went to Esqr Rands and was Sworn as an Evidence in the Case 
between the Proprietors of Londonderry & Jonathan Chamberlin (viz) 
how far his land is from Merrimack River There was a great Rain this 
latter part of the Day 

5"* I gave james Caldwell senr a Summons for three Witnesses to be 
sworn at John Bells the 18th Jnstant and a Notification to Andrew Walker 
to come and hear them sworn and I coppyd for John Bell his and W" 
Parrys articles Relateing then- Potash all unpaid and I butchered one of 
our pigs and jonas got a peiceof butter from old Mrs McLaughlin about )4 
a pound and a wooden bottle of Cyder from james Little 

6"' jolin Jempson made me a pair of svirbauds for a Chest and a Staple 
for a bolt to lock in and I gave him a Dram on the acct 

7"' I finished Makeing a Chest to take to Amoskeig and we began to 
plant Potatoes in the old Cow yard 

8"' we planted part of the peice before the Barn with potatoes and I 
made a Hand borrough 

9"* I went to Esqr Holands to give Evidence between the Proprs of 
Londonderry and Jonathan Chamberlin for the Proprs and they gave me 
£42:0 old Tenor for my service and I came as far as Col : Goffes and tar- 
ried there till morning 

10"' I came home and sent jonas to John Bell and got i., ^ o^' Tea and a 
13 



194 MATTHEW patten's DIAliY. 

"bottle of Smiflf doue in paper that he brot from. Ovid Hoiistoii for me and 
Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

lltii J got 3 quarts and about 3 half pints of Hemp seed from james Pat- 
terson and I sowed some of it by the Gate & some between and the Cellar 
and some before the Barn and we sowed the Garden below the Well 

12*'^ I met at John Bells on acct of Hugh Rowens case the officer Mr 
Gearfield apprehended Alex' Graham and summoned 4 Evidences and 8 
appeared and for want of the other Evidences I Recognized Graham and 
the Evidences who ware to appear at John Bells on the 21*' Instant at one 
of the Clock in the afternoon and jonas got 3 bushell of Corn from Moses 
Vickery and got it ground at Col : Goffes Mill 

13"* I sowed some Hemp seed in the Hollow above the old Garden and 
loj the fence between the house and barn I have sowed about 3 quarts of 
liemp seed in all and I sowed about 3 quarts of Barly and I lost a lamb 
toward Evening we found it next morning when we skin,d it it appeard 
to be much bruised On the off side against the Kidney and forward to the 
Ribs and down On the belly and the near side opposite to the hart but not 
so high up was bruised but not so much as the off side 

15'ii I sowed about a bushell and 27j>'2 quarts of Flax seed above the 
Barn and I got 3 Gallons of Tar from Capt Barron and a quart of Rum 
from Esqr Rand on C 

16''' I went afishing to Seabens Pond and I catchd 20 Pickerel and I 
finished makeing a Canno all but Pitching 

18"' I went to Esqr Holands at Capt Karrs Request to see hiiu on acct 
of the money I owe him and I came home and I went to John Bells and 
took some affidavits for james Caldwell (vs) Andrew Walker and the boys 
planted the peice back of the Barn with Corn and Potatoes and Dunged it 
they carried the Dung from the barn And my Wife got £ 6 and 11 ounces 
of Pork from jon* Curriers Wife & I pd Esqr Underwood 40/2 old Tenor 
the Remainder of y*^ price of two bushell of Rie I had from him two year 
ago or there about. 

19"» My wife carried a web to David McClearys and the boys fenced in 
the Lane between the House and barn and planted a few potatoes and 
went to the ponds and catched 29 Pickeral & poarch and one pout and 
W"' Morrow brot us 4 shad in the Evening after we were in Bed 

20"' this morning before we were up our Black Cow Calved a Bull Calf 
and I took W'" Morrows Horse to the Sceane to him and I helpt two or* 
three HauUs and the Company gave me 15 Shad and I hot a bushell of 
Salt from Moses Watt for 4 £ old Tenor and I paid him the money 

21*^ I got a qt of Rum from M : Little on C'' and I gave the most of it to 
the scean men over against Pattersons and I fished at that Scean from 
dark to Sun Rise and I got 60 shad for my divede and in the afternoon I 
went to John Bells to hold a Court between Hugh Rowen Comp and Alex' 
Graham Resp' and Rowen not appearing to prosecute his Compt nor no 
person for him I dismist Graham and the Wituessess without Examining 
them of the affair 

22'' Reed 3 Hundred of 10'' Nails from jon* Currier that he brot from 
Mr Gordons fcir me on Esqr Rands acct 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 195 

23'' 1 butchered oiu- heifer Calf it weighed 33 £ aud I got a pair of 
Cauuo sides from Capt Goffe and I nailed them on the bottom 

25"> I finished makeing and pitching the Cauno for myself and the one 
for Esq Rand and I borrowed about a gallon of Tar from Capt Goffes wife 

26*'' I Coppyd of Caldwells and Walkers case for Walker and Walkers 
acct for Caldwell and John got 3 bnshell of corn from Moses Vickery 

27"* I sent my own Canno to amoskieg by Capt Walker and my bror 
Samiiell Team and I sent the Canno I made for Esqr Rand to Goffes ferry 
with my Oxen and jonas with them aud one Paddle and I made off a pair 
of trucks to go to the falls to bring home fish and John got 3 bushell of 
meal ground at Ensn Moors and he got .^OH yards of Dimity at David Mc- 
Clearys that he wove for us 

28"' I went to fish at Anioskeeg and I fished untill thee 6th of June at 
night and in that time I sent home 354 and I got 60 of jonas that he 
would not sell and 38 of John I gave 100 for 2io bushell of salt and 60 I let 
Ensn Daniel moor have toward what I owe him and 20 I let Capt Walker 
and my bror have 120 I sold for money and a hoe 10 I gave Rob* McMur- 
phy and 10 I let Gan Riddell have toward }4 a Gallon of Rum I had from 
him last summer 

gth gth iQth 11"* and 12"* in the forenoon I mth jas Patterson Eben' 
Hacket and Alex'^ McMurphy we workt at our fishing place between the 
Pulpit and Sullivans Point we Settled our acct Relateiug to the makeing 
it and I had 2:19:6 conieing to me Hacket was to pay me 2:4:6 and 
there was 15»/ in my hand by 5 shad that I sold and he owes me 1 : 9 : 6 all 
old Tenor And I bot a Barrell of Cyder from Capt Walker and my bror 
for a Dollar and I pd them the money I owe the bringing it on to the 
Island from the East side yet 

14"* Was Sacrement in Bedford and Mr McGregore assisted mr Hous- 
ton 

lo"* John Gillmor made a New Shoe for my Horse of my iron and steal, d 
the toe of another and Sett them and Charged 20V old Tenor and I went 
to the falls to look for a Net and bow and pole that John took to fish at the 
Setting place but could not find it 

16"* I went to Amherst to Mr Heldreths a Witness in james Caldwells 
and Andrew Walkers case and I tarried over night 

17"* I came home about the middle of the Day 

18"* was a considerable Rain 

19"* I went and got me some Ash for scoop net bows and made two and 
we hung our fly net and catched 2 salmon Mc Laughlin and Patterson 
divided the largest in two and I had the smalest mine weighed 10?^ theii\s 
I suppossed weighed about two or 3 pounds more than mine 

22'' I writ a Deed from Tho« Boies to Hugh Campbell of the Lott No 12 
in the 8"* Rang and went and Run Round it to be paid by Boies and Tho" 
Boies and I writ and Signed 4 warrants to 4 of the surveyors of highways 
and I shaved 3 scoop net Bows and bended them 

23'' I went and Run lines for Capt John Stark about Tho* Russ's place 
by Arnoskeeg falls and I catched a salmon I suppossed would weigh 18 £ 
and I left it under the floor of Capt Karrs house but when I came there in 



196 , MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

the Evening my Salmon was gone and Esqr Me Allan and Ephraim Mar- 
tain helped me look for it some time but could not find it 

24''* I went to the falls in the forenoon and I catched a Salmon that 
weighed about 12 £ and in the afternoon my boys and I sticked np what 
boards I had at Capt Goffes mill we had 115 boards in Number and james 
Patterson and Nath'' and I catched 2 salmon and I had ^o of one that 
weighed 6 £ and we sent one of our boys to Matthew Littles and got a 
pound of Shugar and a pint of Rum from him on Or 

27'^ I carried a Note of 4 : 4 : 9 La Mo : to against Lieut Josiah Brown 
to Amoskieg and sent it from there by Ensn McAllan to Capt John Stark 
to Receive the money for me and there was 3/3 La : Mo : to be added 
makes 4:8:0 prinsaple and Intrest on it for 13 months And I hot a bottle 
of snuff from Tho' Russ boy for 40"/ old Tenor and I pd for it and in the 
morning james Patterson brot me 3 Salmon that weighed 20 pound & Tho^ 
McLaughlin had one that weighed 15 £ and Patterson had half a salmon 

28*'^ I went to New Boston and heard Mr Moor and Mr Davidson the 
administered the sacrament Mr Moor carried on he preached the Acention 
seromon and fenced the Tables Mr Willson assisted likewise I lodged at 
Alex'' McOolums & Mr Houston was at Hillsborough 

29"^ I went to Meeting and heard Mr Willson and I Came by Matthew 
Caldwells and swore him to an acct and came home I borrowed Alex'' Mc- 
Collums Hooks and Mandrell for Tm-ning Dishes 

30*'' I began to try to turn Dishes and Tho^ McLaiighlin catched 6 Sal- 
mon one he gave Capt Goffe for helping him to draw and one I got of 
12 £ and Tho'* and Jamie got 22 £ Each 

JULY FIRST 

we hauled and catched one that weighed 20 £ and Jamey had it he is 
3 £ ahead of Tho^ and 17 ahead of me and I got /o a Salmon that weighed 
almost 6 £ and one that weighed 8% and another peice that weighed 7 £ 

2'' I hauled alone in the morning and catched one that weighed 1 1 1^ £ 
and Patterson got it and I went to fish at Amoskieg for Salmon but got 
none and Thomas Eloit came to my house about Jonathan Curriers Cattle 
that he took with an Execution last Janury and Lodged at my house the 
night following 

3'' I went to Matthew Littles and Writ a Deed from Christopher Will- 
iams to jotham Tuttle and another from sd Williams to Geo Hadley and 
another from sd Tuttle to sd Hadley and took the acknowledgements of the 
3 and an Instrument from Tuttle to Hadley for Tuttle to lift a mortgage 
that lay on the land he Deeded to him and I Drawed an Acct for Tuttle 
against Josiah Folensbe and swore him to it Williams is to pay me one 
shilling Lawful mo and Hadley is to pay me 3V La : Mo : in Corn and 
Tuttle paid me one shilling La : Mo : and he owes me 2/ yet and I bot a 
Scyth from Matthew Little on Cr 

4th I -^vent along with John Clogston and Benj Davis and Run Round 
the lott no 2 in the second Rang on the south side of Piscataquog River in 
Goffstown and Divided it in equal halfs between them Clogston is to give 



MATTHEW patten's DTAr.Y. 197 

me a bushell of Rie for his part and Davis to let nie have as much for his 
part for my service 

6"^ I took the Invoice of all West of me of my part except the Curriers 
& Morrials aud Murdough and I went to Jonathan Lyons and he gave me 
an old Horse Collar 

7"' I drawed up james Caldwells cost in his and Andi-ew Walkers case 
since the jugemeut I gave and james Patterson brot me a salmon that 
weighed 19^^ £ they got 3 the one that jamie got weighed 11 £ and Tho^ 
weighed 17 £ and Tho^ and Col Goffe and I hauled at noon and we 
catched 3 one gave the colonel that weighed I suppose 18 £ I got one that 
weighed 203;^ and Tho^ got one of 12^^ £ 

8"' I Run lines for Col Goffe about the home lotts in Bedford (viz) No 
39 & 41 but could not finish the corner bound being chiefly gone and the 
lines being exceeding brushey 

10*'^ I turned some Dishes and took my plough irons to Daniel Moor to 
be -mended and on the 9th I hauled home two jags of boards from Capt 
Goffes mill with my oxen and horse 

11"^ Daniel Moor laid a peice of iron and steel on the colter of my 
plough iron and I turned some Dishes 

12"^ Mr Houston was absent from Bedford and was in Londonderry in 
Mr MacGregores Room 

13*'' I began to plough in my field before the house I ploughed about 
half the day 

14th J -went with Mr Tho^ Eloit to Ephraim Martains to see to get in 
with partners with him in the Mine he has found which was Defered 
untill Capt Martain comes from Cohass and I butchered a Calf that jonas 
got from james Patterson it weighed 44 £ of meat aud oIq sldn he got it 
for his freedom frolick which is this day and jamie Patterson and Tho* 
Maclaughlin and my John went to Sebeans brook and catched one Salmon 
that weighed 10 £ aud they sent it to be Cooked for jonas frolick 

16"' I sent to james Mathies to Arbitrate with Lieut Reed aud Arthur 
Darrah between Capt Ezekial Greele and Alexander Orr concerning a 
note given the 28th of March 1753 continued on the business till past 
Midnight 

17"' we finished and both partys aquiesed and Exchanged Receipts and 
Capt Greele gave me a Dollar for my pay and I came home by dark 

18"' I ploiighed about half the day 

20"' I paid Francis Barnet 4-10-0 old Tenor for a barrel of Cyder I had 
from him the 14th of last February and I had John Clogstons oxen plough- 
ing and he had my horse to plough among his Corn in their Room 

21 & 22*1 was Rainey Weather and on the 22d John got 3 bushell of 
Indian corn from Moses Vickery and got it ground at Ensign Moors mill 

23<i I had Kidders Steers helping me to jilough we ploughed some more 
than half tlie day 

24"' I had the same steers helping me plough 

25"' I finished ploughing the old field bi^fore the house by noon I had 
Kiddc^rs steers helping me to finish and y(\sterday Susannah got 8}( £ of 
pork from james Littles wife for (5 Dishes she got the 23d and she sent us 



198 ]MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

a pig for a Roaster aud I sent johu to Eusigu Moors mill and got 3 biisliell 
of Rie ground 

26"^ I heard Mr Williams of Wiuham preacli in Bedford for Mr Houston 
in the forenoon from the 26th vai-se of the 16th of Matthew and in the 
afternoon from the Parable of the prodigal son in the 15th of Luke 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM THE 26th OF JULY 1767 

27"' James Patterson and I catched a Salmon between break of day and 
Sun Rise that Weighed 12 £ we divided it in 3 equal shares among us and 
McLaughlin aud I ploughed with my own oxen and horse in the field 
above the barn and I went to the brook in the afternoon and we hauld 
and catched 4 salmon and James patterson & Tho» McLaughlin and I 
evend all our severall divids of fish this Summer and I got ^ of a 16 £ 
Sahnon aud McLaughlin had the other lialf and one of 9 pound and jamey 
had one of 19 pound and another of 10 £ which division made all oiir other 
divisions this summer Even 

28"^ we catched 4 Salmon at pattersous Brook one at cold brook and 4 at 
Sceekos brook I got 4 that weighed 32 £ in our Division that weighed 36 
by my Stillards jamey got 29 £ and Maclaughlin 30 by our division and 
I ploughed the Remainder of the day with my oxen and horse above the 
Barn 

29"' my John and I went and hauld in the afternoon and we catched 2 
Salmon I had one that weighed 7^ £ and Tho" and Jamey had the other 
I suppose weighed about 9 or 10 £ and I got a quart of Rum from Esq 
Rand 

30"' I ploughed with my own oxen and horse and Tlio» Maclaughlin 
catched one Salmon that weighed 9 2 we are all even only jamey is one 
pound behind 

31^' I had John Maclaughlins oxen helping me plough and vnth the heat 
and the Shower that was in the afternoon we ploughed about half the day 

AUGUST FIRST 

I had John McLaughlins oxen helping about half of the forenoon and I 
finished fello^ving my field above the barn and I drawed an advertisment 
to piit into the prints for the sale of Tho" Halls place for John Hall 

2'! Mr Houston was in Hillsbourgh and Capt Barron Drawed a Double 
tooth for Susanna it had 3 prongs 

3'i Jonas helped me to Reap and Susanna got a gallon of Rum from 
Matthew Little for me and she got a pound of shugar from him and gave 
him 20V old Tenor and the overplus I am to have credit for and I sowed 
the Turnip seed on the Right hand as we go to the Well 

4"' we finished the peice above the barn and reaped a few sheaves in 
the field above my brors and I spent full half the day with John Quig and 
I butchered a Ewe I did not weigh her my Stilyard was from home and I 
got one 3d of a 10 £ Salmon that jamey Patterson catched 

5"' Joshua Blodget helped me to reap some better than one half the day 
it raiud the most part of the afternoon we Reaped 8 Stooks and 2 Sheaves 
and my jamey and I went to the mouth of the brook at Pattersons and 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 199 

catched a Salmon that weighed 9^^ £ and I Drawed a Complaint for 
Jannet Qnig against Ann Gibson Directed to Col Goffe 

6"^ was wet the fore part of the day and my Rob' and I went and 
catched a Salmon that weighed 123^^ £ and jamey Patterson and Tho^ 
McLaughlin had it and they brot me the one I catched yesterday and we 
Reaped S^a Stooks and a half 

7"^ jouas and joshiia Blodget helped me the most of the day we Reaped 
14 stooks and my jamey and jamey Patterson and I catched a Sahnon that 
weighed 8^2 £ and we gave it to Sam" Patterson and my susa carried it 
to his house 

8"^ it misted and wet in the morning that I Reaped none all day I 
mended up 2 Rakes and spent near half the day with Capt BaiTon and 
John began to Plough the field by my brors and our young Cow took Bull 
of Capt Barrons bull 

IQth "VVilliam Errowiu helped me to Reap we finished my Rie we Reaped 
7 Stooks I have 33 Stooks iji the field by my brors and I got a quart of 
Rum from Matthew Little on Credit 

11"^ I had Capt Goffes Cart and Carted in my rie I have 40 Stooks in all 
this year 

12*'' I mended at my rakes in the forenoon and in the afternoon I went 
to James Aikens and got 3 £ of Tobacca to be settled toward what he 
owed me and Jonathan Currier brot me a bottle of Snuff that I sent for to 
Ovid Houston by Rachel Searles last week I sent 18V Bay old Tenor by 
her for it 

13'*^ Jonathan Currier gave us a pig for Roasting and I killed and I got 
a quart of Rum from Matthew Little on Cr and I began to mow in the 
Little Meadow in the burnt lott 

14"' I mowed some and bob and I Raked 10 Cocks 

15*'' I finished mowing the burnt lott it Rained the night before and 
this morning and Rained 2 showers this afternoon 

16"' sabbathday was a very clear day the night following it Rained 

17th I -vvent to Lucy Barrons and got her to cut out a pair of Tow 
britches for myself and it Rained a Shower about 2 o Clock that I could 
not take any care of my hay at the meadow and I butchered a Ewe 

18"' jotham Tuttle senr came and helped me and we began to mow iu 
the Squar in the little Meadow on the East side of the brook and we 
Raked up the Remainder of the burnt Lott 

19"' sd Tuttle helped me and Jonathan CiuTier helped me mow a little 
more than half the day 

20"' sd Tuttle and Sam" Patterson helped me we finished mowing the 
squar and yesterday and today I borrowed two fulls of my little wooden 
bottle of Rum from James Caldwell junr 

21** Tuttle went home in the morning Early aud Jonathan helped me 

22'' sd Currier helped me in these two days we Stacked the hay on the 
burnt lott and two stacks on the squar (viz) one on the east side of the 
brook of 37 Cocks and one S : W : of tlu^ Maple tree of 32 cocks tliere was 
33 on the burnt lott and we Raked up what Remaind of the squar there 
is 76 cocks iu tin; sciuar yt't to stack 



200 MATTHEW patten's DIAUY. 

25 26 27 & 28"^ my boys and I workt at mowing the dispute lott sliake- 
ing out 9 cocks in the sqnar that we raked on saterday and Raking and 
Stacking the whole that Remains there was 27 cocks on the Dispute Lott 
this week I got a quart of Rum from Matthew Little and on the 25th John 
got 1}4 hushell of Indian corn from Moses Vickery I have 205 Cocks in 
number in the Little meadow this year the half of them were small this 
week hitherto has been Exceeding hot weather on the 28th in the after- 
noon at evening there came up a great Thunder shower attended by 
aboundance of thunder and Lightening and in the Evening there came up 
another attended also "svith abundance of thunder and Lightning both 
hea\^ showers and came from the Northwest or between that and west 

29th rpjjg g^. q^^- J. pQQ-^ ^^^ J gQ^ ^ Gallon of Rum from Matthew Little 
and I butchered a Ewe 

31st I went to the little Meadow and gathered up hay that Deacon 
Smiths oxen had tore out of 4 of my stacks james Caldwell junr informed 
me of it John Mcneall see them in the meadow yesterday and John went to 
Londonderry 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

Jonathan Currier helped me mow half the day and John brot home a 
bushell of the salt that I bot of Lieut Stinson last spring and jean 
Macmurphys side saddle 

2*1 was a Cloudy day and I had John Maclaughlins junrs horse and my 
wife went to bostonward to sell some cloath and thread and I borrowed a 
bushell of Oats from Matthew Little for Her to carrie with her and John 
went with her as far as John Jacobs with her and he paid james Caldwell 
junr the 2 quart bottles full of Rum that I borrowed from him while I 
was geting my hay at the Little meadow and samuell Patterson mended 
my Saddle bags and I shaved shingles for him for it and I lent Sam^' 
Patterson 8 quart Potts full of Salt 

3*1 Jonathan currier and I mowed in my meadow and Samuell Patter- 
son finished shaving and bundling l^g thousand of Shingles that I lent 
him which was split out lying at my house 

4"^ I mowed the most of the day as far up as the croth of the brook and 
the boys raked what Jonathan Currier and I mowed the 1st Instant into 
winrows 

5"> was a small frost and I cut our tobacca all down and I lent Jonathan 
Currier 4^2 bushell of Ashes and we got the hay in Cocks a little above 
the Beaver Dam there is 66 cocks of it 

6"* Mr Houston was absent from Bedford there was a frost this morning 

7th T^Q hung up our Tobacco in the sheeps house we have about 412 
stalkes a great many of them is small 

gth J -^yrit a letter to Col Atkinson for Jonathan Blanchard Esqr to Ex- 
cuse my going to the Superiour Court this month and I mowed the after- 
noon in the north prong in my meadow and John got l^^ bushell of Indian 
Corn from Moses Yickery and brot it to Col Goffes mill and left it there 
over night and almost ^2 ^ bushell of Rie that he carried from home with 
him 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 201 

9"' I finished mowing my meadow at home and I got Capt Goffes Cart 
and John and james brot in a Jag of hay in the evening 

lO*"* was a considerable shower in the morning and was cloudy all day 
and misted by turns 

ll'h was a fair day and the childer workt at turning the cocks upside 
down and they carted in a Jag in the Evening 

12"^ they carted in two jags the second jamey Pattterson helped them 
and he got away the cart and they tooped up the cocks and turned and 
shook out what was Unraked and my wife came home from Boston on 
this day I got a Sweat 

18"^ I sent John home with John Maclaughlius Horse 

14th I ^yas out of case so that I could do no work and the childer Raked 
and cocked the hay in the noth prong of the meadow 

15"^ they finished Rakeing hay there is about 110 cocks in the meadow 
at home and we carted in 3 jags today I workt some today 

16"^ was a Rainy day throughout and I writ a deed from Noah Thayer 
and his bror Jonathan of their 3d Division and Meadow lott To Tho'* Mur- 
dough and they pd me for \^Titing the Deed 

17 18 & 19"^ Continued Rainy cloud weather 

20"» was a clear pleasant day and warm 

2P' a clear pleasant day and warm 

22<i was a Clear pleasant day and warm and I went out to show jonas 
Cutting the lott I had from Capt Karr by the way of Tho« Hall 

23'^ I finished mending my Plough that John broke and it came on a 
Rain in the after part of the day and Evening which fell out very pleuti- 
full 

34th 25th I ^yith Capt Barron and Thomas Boies make the minister town 
and Province Rates at Matthew Littles our Expences in these two days 
was 4V La^^^ull money 

26"» John thrashed 14 sheaves or Rie and I cleaned it there was a little 
above a bushell of it and I took it to Ensn Moors mill and got it Ground it 
is the first we have had of new Rie except what shelled in Pitching 

27"' Mr Houston was in Hillsbourgh 

28"' plowed above the Barn 

29"' was a Rainy day and Mr Wilkins came to get Signers for Amherst 
to be the Shire town of this County and Capt Barron jamey Patterson and 
I of this town and W"' Macdugall of Goffestown signed for it in this house 

SO"' I finished plowing the field above the Barn and plowed a few bouts 
in the field above the House 

OCTOBER FIRST 

in the afternoon I attended the funeral of W'" Arrowins child and my 
Wife got an Earthen pot from Esqr Rand at 18V old Ten'^ price 
2*1 I shaved some shingles and the boys Harrowed yesterday and today 
S"! I sowed a bushell and 12 Quarts of Wheat above the Barn and I 
cleaned up 4 bushell and a peck of Rie John Thrashed it and I went to 
Ensn Moors Mill and got 2 bushell of the Rie Ground this Day was very 
warm 



202 MATTHEAY PATTEN'S DIAKY. 

5*ii I sowed 12 quarts of Wheat above the barn and a bushell and ahnost 
a half of Rie there 

6"^ I with the other selectmen met at John Bells and looked into Richard 
McAllesters and John Maclanghlins Constables accts to know how much 
they had paid Mr Houston and with Mr Houston to see how much is due to 
him from the town we had a bole of Tody and a jill of Rum And John car- 
ried 44 Squars of Sashes to Esqr Rand of 9 by 7 and got a puding pann 
and a Chamber pot from him 

7"^ I with the other selectmen met in the afternoon at james Caldwells 
to look about a Road for him to the lane between Deacon Smiths and Mc- 
Duffies but did not lay one out 

8*'' I spent in Going among the people on the River and from Deacon 
Boies and homeward to get signers to a Remonstrance to the session of 
Bedford on acct of Mr Houstons Conduct 

gtii I went to Sam'^ Pattersons and he sowed on a Sole on one of my 
pumps and I spent the day in geting signers to the above Remonstrance & 
in the Evening I went with my bror to Esqr Rands with a Deed that was 
lodged in my hands which he gave to my bror and Delivered it up and I 
got a bushell and a half of salt from Esqr Rand a 5/ La : Mo : pr bushell 

10''' I gave Jonas Cutting a Deed of the lott I had from Capt Karr by the 
way of Tho" Hall and the boys found oiu* barrow hog Dead who had been 
misiug since last Wednesday and and we mised our Grown sow this morn- 
ing what the Distemper is I know not 

11"' Mr Houston was in Gofifestown and we found our Sow Dead north 
of Jonathan Curriers house and another of our pigs was sick 

12"' another of our largest pigs was very sick we poured in some brim- 
stone and Gunpowder and New Milk into it in the morning and james 
Patterson came up and Gelded my two Calves and I sowed a little more 
than 3 Jo bushell of Rie in the field by my brors and in the night before I 
borowed some shugar from Jonathan Currier the shugar and box and my 
Rule weighd a pound and two ounces it was our little box and I got a 
bushell of Rie from John Clogston being his half of my pay for my Runing 
and dividing the lott in Goffestown that he and Benj" Davis hot between 
them from Sam'^ Grigs 

13"' I borrowed 6 bushell of Ashes from John Wallace and carried home 
Frances Baruetts cyder barrell that I got with the barrell of cyder last 
winter 

14"' Susey John jamey Bob Betsey and I went a Chestniiting up to Mor- 
rials we got about IX bushell and our pig that has been sick Died 

15"' About 11 oclock was a small shock of an Earth Quake and the wind 
blowing from N : W : a considerable breese 

16"' I spent the day in going by Capt Walkers and the South end of the 
town to get Signers to the Remonstrance to the Session 

17''' I tlirashed out the Remainder of my hemp seed 

17"' I cleaned a little more than two bushell of Rie and John went to 
Ensn Moors and got it Ground and jamy and Bob and I Diged the Trucks 
body full of potatoes 

19"' the same boys and I Diged one full and a part of another of the 



MATTHEW PATTEjS's DIARY. 203- 

trucks of potatoes and I went as far as james Vose^ to get signers to the 
paper to the Session and I got 2)^ Dozen of Mohair Coat buttons from 
James Vose which cleared all he owed me and we agreed to quit Scores 

20"^ I sent the paper to Deacon Little by my John to old John McLaxigh- 
liu and by him to Little and John got a pair of Shoes that David Moor 
made of my stuff they are Rather to small 

2P* I got a Barrel of Cyder from Francis Barnet I put in 2 bushell of 
Apples toward it and John Kidder had my horse to mill 

22<i my wife went to Londonderry to see her Mother and to Chester to 
see her sister and friends there she Rid oiu- own liorse and my John and 
James worked for Fi-ancis Barnett toward the bai-rell of Cyder I had from 
him yesterday 

23'i I drawed a Complaint and Warrant against Mr Houston Du-ected to 
Col Goffe Esqr and went and to John Bells and got him to go to John Wal- 
lace to the mouth of Pattersons brook to see that the Compt was formed 
agreeable to what they would say and we finished Raising Potatoes we 
had in all about 60 bushell at Diging time the peice above the barn pro- 
duced about 40 bushell and I carried my Compt to Col Goffe who defered 
signing the Wart untill he could write to Mr Houston which he said he 
would do directly and that hed come to my house next Monday morning 
■vVith the Wart 

24th I plowed in the field before the House 

25*'^ was Mr Houstons Sacrament 

26''! Col Goffe came to my house and Signed the warrant against Mr 
Houston that I carried to him the 23d and took it with him to the Mr 
Houstons Session and Returned at Night to one of my bror Sam^^ Daugh- 
ters to give to me which she did Directly and I plowed in the field before 
the house 

27*^ I plowed in the forenoon and John plowed in the afternoon and I 
went to James Caldwells and there met Capt Barron and we laid out a 
highway from McDuffies by sd Caldwells to his East line it began to Rain 
in the Evening about 8 or 9 oClock and continued all night it was a very 
mugey warm day 

28"> the wind was at North East and blowed hard and Rained consider- 
able fast all day and toward night it began to hail with Rain and about 
dark it got to snow smartly and continued untill in the Evening and then 
Abated but the wnnd was high all night and got backward to the North it 
was a tedious Storm 

29*'^ I cleaned up 4 bushell and 3 or 4 quarts of Rie and I wrote a Letter 
to Capt Karr on acct of money and sent it by Tho^ Boies to Londonderry 
and I went to Mr Tho» Russes with my Iron Wedges in the Room of his 
that our Company in the fishing place between Sullivans point and the 
pulpit borrowed last Spring when we worked on it my wedges weighed 
£ 7 good wt and his that we borrowt^d weighed G £ 2 ounces 

30'*' I plowed in the field before the house 

3P' I sowed a little more than two bushell of Rie on the East side of the 
field before the house and I cleaned up about 18 (luarts of Rie 



204 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

NOVEMBER 

2<i I went to New boston and lodged at Alexander McCollnms 

S'l I conversed awhile with Deacon Cochrane and his wife Relating to 
Mr Houston telling the Story or Report about Jaunet Boies &c and I sticked 
lip my boards and Slitwork at my place between and New boston 

4"^ I spent the day in forming a further conipt against Mr Houston and 
in going to james Caldwells for more information of what he told him and 
shelving the highway from John McLaughlin juiirs to my land 

5"^ I framed the Ribs of my compt and I Reed a Johanna from Capt 
Goffe of thf towns money and I went to Lieut Moors and paid it to Josiah 
Warren on the acct of his biiilding the pulpit 

6"* Daniel Moor made two new shoes of my Iron and set them on my 
horses fore feet 

7**^ I went to see Capt Karr but he was not at home and I got 1 ^o bushell 
of Indian Corn from George Hadley he owed me 3 £ old Tenor for Writ- 
ings I did last Summer at Math^' Littles for him we have submitted that 
if corn is sold this year at two pistereens a bushell this year then I am to 
pay him half a pistereen and if the price is 15V Silver then I have just got 
my due 

8"' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford I think at Wear 

9"^ I went to Capt Starks and got Lieut Browns Note that I carried to 
him last Siunmer and I went and See Capt Karr 

10"! I went to Londonderry to Mr Livermores but he was Sick and 
could hot be spoke with 

1 1*^ he was better and I gave him a Dollar for his Advice about my 
prosecuting Mr Houston and for a Retaining fee and I came and lodged at 
William Morrows 

12"' I came home and brot two bushell of Meal that Morrow brot to his 
house that Rob' Macmurphy gave my Wife when she was at Derry and 
Samuel Houston pd me five Dollars of the towns Money that he was 
bondsman for his bror jamey for which I gave him a Rect 

13"' I settled Deacon Karrs note and Pope Tho* Karrs note that they 
gave to Bedford for money borrowed and I gave my note to the town for 
the sums of both Notes being 13-9-0 Lawful money Reckoning Intrest on 
Intrest and I went to Capt Karrs and he was not at home and I went to 
Capt John Starkes and found him there but could not Settle notes with 
him and I came home at one or two oClock 

14"' I went to james Caldwells to pay Thomas Warren the money I 
Reed from Sam'^ Houston but he was gone from there and Eben"^ Hacket 
came to me to have me go to Derry on Monday as Evidence between him 
and little Robert Clark 

16'^ I went to Derry and they settled their affair and I settled the two 
notes above said ■with Capt Karr at Mr Livermores only at Intrest the sum 
came 12-18-7 but Capt Karr promised that if the town would not Rebate 
the Interest on the Intrest that I should not loos it and Sani^i Derbon had 
paid his note of 15-13-6 to Mr. Livermore last septr and the Intrest and 
prinsaple came to £ 17 and there was 16-19-4 of it Entered on the back of 



]MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 205 

My Note to Capt Karr the 9th Instant and the 13-18-7 was Entererl on the 
back of my Note today makes 29-17-11 All La : Mo : that there Remains 
7-16-1 of my note to Capt Karr and what Interest is due ou it and I 
lodged at Rob' McMiirphys 

17"^ I came home and Measured what boards I had left at Capt Goflfes 
Mill there was 1078 feet of them the boys hauled them to the River on 
Monday Morning last 

18"' I butchered a Ewe that weighd 47 £ of Meat and was in Good case 

19"^ was the Thanksgiveing Through the Province 

20*'* I went to Newboston and Lodged at Deacon Cochranes 

2P' I came home and it began to snow about Dark and snowed all night 
the wind at N; E: 

22'' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford and it snowed hard and the 
wind high all day It snowed about 24 hours and is about 20 inches Deep of 
this falling 

23'' The wind continued high and the snow drifted we broke up to our 
wood and got home about enough to make two or three fires of small wood 
with much Dificualty and I mad a Shovel to Clean out the Cattle 

24th ^yg went tmce for wood but could not at both times bring more 
than a small load 

25"* I broke out toward the little meadow as far as to james Caldwells 
and I attended at John Bells and met with those who are proecuted by 
Mr Houston and a Number more of the signers of the paper that was given 
in to the Elders 

26"* I drawed out my Compt against Mr Hoiiston in form and went to 
Col Goffes and got him to sign the Wart 

27"* I went to John Bells wlio came for me to give the Wart to Gearfield 
who came up by Measuage by Richard McAUesters boy who was sent to 
him on purpose yesterday I sent to Mr Houston who came to Bells about 
one oClock and we spent untill 1 1 at niglit but could not agi-ee when the 
Wart was Served and we agreed to have the tryal next Thursday at Bells 
at 10 oClock forenoon 

28"* 1 carried a bushell of wheat to Ensn Moors Mill and I got it ground 
and I got 2 bushell Indian corn from him to be paid by stocking a Gun 

80*'* I went to Londonderry and lodged at Robert McMurjihys 

DECEMBER 

1*" I helped him buther a sow and a barrow and in the Evening I went 
to Esq' Holands and got a Notification to Mr Houston to hear some Wit- 
nesses Swore before him at his own house on the 8th Instant 

2'' Robert McMurphy gave me the Sow and half the Barrow the sow 
weighed 163 and the half of the Barrow that I got weighed 61 and he gave 
me Nice peice of beaf and 3 £ and 14 ounces of Tobacca and I came home 

3"^ my trial with Mr Houston before Col Golf e & Esqr Underwood began 
and we went through one article of the compt 

4"' we met again and went through all the other articles except one 
which was to be proved by Esqr Boies wife and daughter who could not 
come and the justices Deferred giveing Judgement untill tlie last Tuesday 



206 MATTHEW patten's DIAIIY. 

iu January next at 10 of the clock forenoon to meet at John Bells where 
we had had the trial 

(jth -^j. Houston was to preach for Mr MacGregore and Mr Honstons 
pulpit was Vacant 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 6 1767 

^th J went to Col Goffes and got Capt Barron and Ensn Daniel Moors 
Depositions taken to go in to the Presbetery on Wednesday next 

gth I -went to Francis Barnetts John Wallaces and Deacon Boies to see 
if they Remembered to hear Mr Houston say that the Commite who 
treated with him about his settleing in Bedford that they agreed with him 
that he never was to be gone more than ten sabathdays in the year & that 
privilege to continue but for seven years which they all told me they did 
Remember it 

gth Tiie Presbetery sit iu Bedford to trie me and my bror and 6 persons 
in this town more for asking the Elders the Reasons of their not takeing 
notice of Mr Houstons being called a Liar in open town meeting to see 
that he cleared his Charecter in a Law^full way or settled it in a christian 
manner before they had assisted or even countenanced as a Minister of the 
gospel The Presby after a considerable beating round the bush adjoiu'ued 
until 9 oClock tomorrow morning of their own accord 

10*'^ before my bror and I got to the meating house the Presby brok up 
what they did I don't know only divers persons told us that Mr Houston 
was to have up his compt against us and that we should have up our let- 
ter We sent to the Elders which we did not waut and I went to John Bells 
and Drawed a Petition for Joseph Steel and W'" Wallace of Amherst to go 
to the General Court Relating their lands in said town being subject to 
pay the Pi-oprs Debts for which they paid me half a Dollar and yesterday 
I agreed with Capt Allds and Hugh Ramsey to Run lines for them the 
21st Instant to meet at Capt Allds and this day I agreed with Thomas 
Boies to meet at John Bells next monday afternoon to examin Bell on his 
constableship 

12"^ I cut wood and the boys drawed home and susanna went to Sam'^ 
Pattersons who sent us 12^ £ of Pork it was a peice cut out of the middle 
of the hogs Ribs and chine and the Hearts and Livers of two hogs 

14*'^ I fell a tree for Staves before Errowins house and in the afternoon 
I went to John Bells and Examin him on his constableship and Reed £ 3 
La : Mo : from John Maclaughlin on his constableship the fell about 7 or 
8 inches of snow and crusted 

16"^ I broke out the little meadow and I brot home three or four cocks 
and John went to Ensn Moors mill with 2 bushell of Rie and a bushell of 
Wheat and got it ground and james Caldwell gave me 13 £ of pork a 
peice cut out of the middle of the hogs Ribs and chine 

17*'^ I went and got 5 qts of Rum from Fergus Kennedy for which I 
paid him 25/1 Bay old Tenr 

18"^ I and John Cut 3 load of Wood and the little boys hauled it home 
and in the night following my Wife's travil wa,s so smart that we gath- 
ered Mr McLaughlins Senr midwife Mrs Hannah Barnet voung Mrs Cur- 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 207 

rier my brors wife Mrs Clogstou and Kidder and Walker all before morn- 
ing 

19"^ Mrs Arrowin came and aboiit two of the Clock in the afternoon my 
vdfe was Delivered of a Daughter and Mrs Arrowin sit iip the night fol- 
lowing 

20"' Hannah Barnet came and brot a pint or more of Honey and Dressed 
the child 

3P' I borrowed almost two quarts of Rum from Fergus Kennedy was all 
he had 

as*! Deacon Walker sent me by his son John 34 £ of clear middleing of 
Pork a present it is a snowey day throughout that night before my wife 
was brot to bed it snowed all night it fell bout 7)^ inches deep and about 
as deep today 

25"^ I borrowed a Gallon of Rum from Math* Little and I settled with 
him for what I owe him and I gave him my Note for it it being 48/2 La : 
Mo: 

26*'* Capt Barron came to oiir house according to appointment on town 
affairs we spent half the day and agreed to meet at John Bells on next 
mouday afternoon and writ an advertisement and sent it by Jonathan 
•Currier to be set up at the meeting house tomorrow and writ a letter to 
the selectmen of Chester Relating John Frenys funeral charges 

27"^ Very cold I felt out of Case 

28"' Capt Barron and I met at John Bells agreeable to our advertisement 
to try to let out the takeing an Invoice for the Province and to number the 
people but coiild not agree with any person and we agreed to meet At o\xr 
house tomorrow Evening and sent Tho' Boies word to come by John Moor 
junr 

29*^ I and John went to little meadow for hay but could not get in with 
the Cattle the meadow was so slipery we pold out 3 turn out on the poles 
and I brot it home with the oxen and John went to Ensu Moors mill with 
S}4 bushell and staled all night at Ensn Moors the mnd high from about 
10 of the clock at N : W : and very cold 

30"' the wind very Bold and very cold 

31"' The wind and cold nothing abated 

JANUARY FIRST 1768 

John and I went to the meadow and pold out 8 turn and brot it home the 
wind and cold much abated the wind blowed 3 days and three nights Ex- 
ceeding high and very cold 

2'i I went to Lieut John Halls and wi'it a Deed of Thomas Halls Estate to 
Isaac Godfrey of Kingston sit up till midnight to finish it and tarried all 
night & Daniel Moor shod my horse he found one new shoe 

3*^ I came home 

4tii I went back to Lieut Halls and see the deed signd and -writ a letter 
to Mr Godfrey for Abrm Merrill and Joseph George and I got 2 quarts of 
Rum from Lieut Hall 

5"' I paid Mr Houston 5/1 of John Bells collection on acct of his sallery 
for the year 1766 and £ 3 of John McLaughlins collection on acct of arrear 



208 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

aud took his Rects accordingly and joliu Clogston had my horse to Haver- 
hill 

6"^ I went vntli my oxen and Slede and brot home my Cannoe from the 
River 

8"^ I cut wood and John Hauled home 

gth I "v^Tent to the meadow aud John went and got some Spruce to Brew 
with and I got 4}^ Gallon of Molasses from John Clogston that he got for 
me at Haverhill 

IQtii Mr Wilkins preached in Bedford for Mr Houston 

ll"i I had my large hay fork mended by Daniel Moor and I got S ox 
shoes that he had sharpened and Nails to Set them and Frances Barnet 
and I weighed a Hog for Daniel Moor that he said he had from John Henry 
the weight was 221 £ by Lieut Moors Stilyards 

The Remainder of this week nothing Material I sledded some hay and 
got the wood for the fire and the loth was moderate and the snow soft- 
ened 

16«> & IT^h j.iiarp cold 

18 & 19"' I sleded a load of hay each day 

20"' 2pt & 22^ I brot a load of hay each day 

23*1 I tlirashed 13 Sheaves of Rie and some that was daminfied and had a 
bushell and 5 quarts aud John went to Eiisn Moors mill with it and a Wart 
for a meeting to jos Scoby to be held the 2d of Februy next 

25"' I brot home a load of hay which finished all except the stack on the 
East side the brook in the squar and it began to Snow in the afternoon 

26"' it stormd all niglit snow and sometimes hail and sometimes Rain 
among it and Snowd all day uutill in the night it fell knee deep and I 
attended the adjournment of Mr Houstons case and mine at John Bells 
aud Esqr Underwood did not come and Col Goffe adjourned the Court 
further untill the 5tli day of April next at one of the clock afternoon then 
to meet at John Bells Capt Walkers my Siu'ety for appearance then 

37"^ we got a little wood 

28"' we got a load of wood and got 2 bushell and about 12 quarts of 
Indian Corn from Capt Barron to Exchange Rie for it aud it began to snow 
and blow at and in the evening the wind at N : E : it fell about 10 inches 
or a foot deep by morning 

39"' The wind at N : W : High and very cold and the snow drifted much 
we only tended the Cattle and fire and tread the path to the wood with my 
snow shoes and I attempted to go to John Bells to Render town accts to 
the Accompter but went no farther than jona Ciu-riers and got word there 
that no accompters came there the snow 3 feet deep 

30"' we got home the Quantity of 3 or 4 Load of Wood with deep wade- 
ing and fategue 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

was a Moderate tliawey day 

2'i I began to take the Invoice and to Number the persons in the middle 
Diestrict in Bedford aud in the afternoon I attended a town meeting which 
was adjourned untill the 2d of next march at one of the clock afternoon 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 209 

S^i I took a side of sole leather and some horse hide to Sam^' Pattersons 
to make a pair of shoes for my wife and for snsanna and I took some of 
the Invoice 

4'h I finished takeing the Invoice and Numbering the people and found 
that there is 125 Souls 

5'^ It snowed all day and the night following modei-atly 
G"» It snowed all day moderatly it fell about 7 inches at this falling 
7"^ was an exceeding clear pleasant day and Moderate 
8"^ it began to snow iu the morning and snowed hard untill 10 or eleven 
of the Clock and then misted and fine Snow and continued so the Remain- 
der of the day and all the night following and Tho** Boies and I went to 
Capt Barrons and drawed out the Inventory for the General tUourt and 
went to Col Goffes and Swore to it and we Drawed out the Number of In- 
habitants in Bedford for the Governor and Sealed them up and gave them 
to Col Goffe to Carrie down and we writ a letter to Mr Jaffrey informing 
him who is Constable in Bedford the Current year and the time he was 
ordered to pay the Province Rates and gave it to the Colonel allso to carrie 
down 

G"^ It still continues to mist and thick Cloudy 

10 & 11th I got wood 

12"» I went to Rob* Morrials and Run almost Round his place and then 
Divided it between him and his sou Hugh and ^vrit a Deed from him to 
his son Hugh of 30 acres & 50 Rods of it . 

13*h I went to beyond Deacon Smiths in my way to sbobys to assist him 
about his accts of Kelleys Estate and heard by John Bell that he was not 
at home and I turned and before I left Deacon Smiths he came to Macduf - 
fies but it was then so late that we could not do it this day 

15th I Whet and fitted a Cross Cutt Saw for james Patterson and Jona- 
than Ciu-rier and am to have her to Saw with to pay me and John and I 
cutt a log off 4 times with her between and the meadow 

16"! I went to Joseph Scobeys and assisted him in overhuling the papers 
of his Adminr on Alex'" Kellseys Estate and tarried there over night 

17"^ I came home in the afternoon and Sam" Patterson brot home a pair 
of shoes to my Wife and another pair for Susanna and I got 2 new links 
made for my Traces of my Iron and another shut by Daniell Moor 

IS'*^ got home 3 load of wood 

19^ got home 3 load of Wood and John took the last of our Rie to Ensign 
Moors Mill and got it ground being 3 bushell 

20"> we broke to the Meadow and John got 2 bushell of Indian corn from 
Joseph Scobey and got it grotind at Ensn Moors Mill and half a busliell of 
Wheat of our own 

22'! I went to Lieut Caldwells to try to get some Molasses he consented 
to let me have 2 gallon for hay only and I promised him 3 or 4 hundred 

23^ I cutt some wood 

24"^ I cutt some wood and jamey haul home 4 jags & John got 2 gal- 
lons of Molasses from Lieut Caldwell 

25"^ I cutt some wood and John hauld home 4 jags and I went in the 
14 



210 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

evening to Pattersons on William Morows acct to have jamey settle a Debt 
he ows W" but he was from home 

26* I writ a letter to W™ Morrow pr my bror Sam^i we got home 3 load 
of wood and james Patterson came and gave a note to W™ Morrow for 
0-18-4 Lawful money 

27"' we got home 4 load of Wood and it began to be soft and in the eve- 
ning it began to Rain and Raiiid all the night following and my Brors 
Samnell brot me a Quire of paper from John Pinkertons for which I sent a 
pistereen which paid it and 4»/ old Tenor over which I gave to him for 
bringing it 

28"^ it Rained a considerable the fore part of the day and it Thawed a 
consideraltle deal the wind at South and continued to thaw all night 

29"^ the wind still at Soiith and continues to thaw and rained a con- 
siderable deal and thawed all day and I mth the other Selectmen attended 
at John Bells to Render our accts and jos Scobey John Wallace and I 
Examined on the year 17(53 and jas Caldwell juur«aud james Vose 
Examined on the year 1764 and in part on the year 1765 and the Select- 
men settled with John McLaughlin junr on his Constableship and he 
cleared the whole of his collections and he paid us 41-6-6 old Tenor and 
John Bell paid us 6/8 Lawfull of his collection which made 8 Dollars from 
Both 

MARCH FIRST 

Overhauld some accts 

2<i I attended at John Bells untill past 3 o Clock afternoon on the town 
Counters and then attended a town meeting by adjournment and then 
came back to Bells and Drawed the March Meeting Wart and paying Mr 
Houston a Johanna and Settling for more money he had Reed as Capt 
Nochars Rates for the year 1763 and McConoughys and Widow Nimocks 
and 7V of james Voses Rates for the year 1766 and waiting on the counters 
untill between 9 and 10 o'Clock 

3'^ we Sawed the tree to peices before Arrowins and hauld it home 

4*'^ John went to Ensign Moors Mill and got 2 bushell of Corn from 
Joseph Scobey & he got a bushell of it gTound into Samp and I hauld one 
cut to Capt Goffes mill for slitwork of Red oak and another of White oak 
to make side for a long body for a Cart and I brot home half a stock of 
white pine boards that lay undivided from last spring and some Cherry 
boards 

5"' we went to the Meadow and hauld home a jag of hay 

7"^ we brot home a jag of Hay and I attended at John Bells to Render 
accts to the town Counters which is the 3d day I have spent on that 
Business this year and Thomas English came to Swingle flax he swingled 
16>^ £ 

gtii -we went to the meadow and james Caldwell junr and I pitch off for 
Lieut Caldwell 400 of hay by our gues and they were to take care of it for 
him tomorrow morning and John and I brot away what drie hay was in 
the stake and some of the wet and came to the near side of the oak woods 
and left part of our load there and John set off for home with it and my 
near ox Died about ^i of a mile from home in the Road he died in a 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 211 

minuet after he fell down and I went across the north end of Stawbuxy 
hill up to Morrials when I left John with the team at the hither side of 
Scunck hill I perceived no symtonis of Death on the ox altho he had not 
seemed well all Winter and seemed to give more out today than I had 
known him before was the Reason of my leaveing part of the load by the 
way and Tho"* English swingled 16% £ of fax 

9"' he swingled 9 £ which finished what we have and we skiud our near 
ox that died yesterday his hide weighed 52 £ we opend him his Gall was 
more than large and stiuked exceedingly in his insides and I got an ox 
from Capt Barron to make mine on Trial 

10**^ John WT-th the oxen and horse brot home what hay was on the sled 
and what we left at the oak woods and I cutt and split some pine wood 
and I whet and sett Curriers Cross cutt saw and he Cut pine wood for me 
while I was doing it 

11*^ was a considerable Rain and John got 2 bushell of Indian corn from 
Joseph Scobey and got it Ground at Eusn Moors Mill and the boys and I 
stemd some Tobacca 

12*'^ a Clear pleasant morning and we had a lamb lambed last night and 
another today and I borrowed 2 iron Wedges from Lieut Moor 

13"! We had a Ewe lamb 

14*'! last night we had a Ewe that brot a black lamb 

15"' & 16^^ we Reave some Steaves Cuts and pine wood 

17*'^ Jonathan Ciu-rier helped me to cut pine wood 

18'^ I got some Herbs at Pattersons and Tho'' McLaughlins for my wife 
who had been out of case and a quart and a jill of Rum from Rob^ 
Neasmiths wife for which I paid her 19/s old Tenor 

19''^ John and I cut and Split pine wood this week has been Keen Cold 
throughout this day was a little more moderate 

20"' it began to snow before we went to bed last night and snowed all 
day untill in the Evening following when it cleard up moderate the snow 
fell about 3 or 4 inches deep 

21^' in the morning I set my Compass to find at what Degree the Sun 
Rise and found it Rise at South 82 Degrees East which is 3X Degrees 
more East than the Equinox and I carried home Lieut Moors iron wedges 
that I borrowed and went to Esqr Rands and Vendued Jonas Cuttings 
lott that I gave him in Bedford 

22<i we got home 4 load of pine wood to split and I fell an Oak tree 
above Curriers for staves 

23'! we got home 4 loads of pine wood more to Split 

24"^ I sent John to Joseph Scobeys and he got 2 bushell of Corn and a 
bushell of Rie from him and I split out the Stave bolts I had at home 
there was 800X of them 

25th I went to Esqr Walkers according to my appointment with Lieut 
Stinson to finish a trad about my farm in Goflf stown but he was off the 
mind of buying it and I lodged at Esqr Walkers over night 

26*'' I came home and Hannah Barnett sent my wife by me a peice of 
Butter about half a pound 

28"^ I with the other Selectmen men met at John Bells and Settled 



212 MATTHEW PATTED' 'S DIAEV. 

Divers accts and Drawee! divers orders Snowed this day and the night 
following ancle deep 

30*'^ was our Annual March meeting and I was chose Clerk and 2d 
Selectman 

31^' I and John went to the Raising of james Littles hoiise 

APRIL 1st 

Avent see Col Goffe 

2<i I went to james Caldwells and made a Rough draught of his Will 
yesterday and today has been exceeding cold and very high wind 

4.fh. J Drawed out the Will I was on the 3d and conditioned for a deed 
Tjeing lodged with me from james Caldwell Senr to his son james and 
John got a bushell of Rie from Ensn Moor 

5^^ The case between Mr Houston and me was Decided by Col Goffe 
and james Underwood Esqrs they granted aquashment for a plea given 
in this day notwithstanding the Examination of Evidences on the 3d of 
last Decebr and they owned the compt was fully proved in private 
conversation they would not alow Mr Houston any fees which I urged to 
have them do 

6^^ I carried leather to Sam^' Patterson to get a pair of Shoes made the 
upper leather and heal and insole stuff I brot from David Moors which 
had lyon there since the fore part of last Summer and I framed a letter to 
Joseph Steiiart of Colrain 

7'^ I Coppyed said letter in the morning and W" Morrill and Robert 
f orscyth and their wives came on a Visit to our house 

8"^ they went away again in the afternoon 

9"^ I made a pair of Duble puUies for a loom 

11th J went to litchfield and I got 3 bushell of Indian corn from W" 
Patterson on Crt and agreed with Esq Underwood for to get a quantity 
of Grain biit not ascertain how much and I got an order from widow 
Caldwell from John Orr of Bedford for a dollar being what she owes me 
for Running lines Fall was a year 

12* I went to Londonderry along with Joseph Scobey to help to Examiu 
over his and Tho^ McMasters papers Relating to their administration of 
Alex"' Kelseys Estate but it was Training there so we did no business we 
lodged at Rob* MacMurphys 

13"' we and Tho*' McMasters met in the morning at Doer Thorntos and 
the Doer assisted and was on the Affair all day untill 9 o Clock at night 
and I Lodged at the Doers that night 

14"' I came home and came by Alexander Macmurphys to see them on 
the melancholy affair of then- house being being burned the 9th Instant 
this day being the General Fast throughoiit the Province 

15"' Capt Barron and I laid out a highway from the to'WTi line by Eusu 
Moors up to Tho'* Mxu-doughs 

IQth X went to Mrs Godfreys and Pland the highways on the East and 
west sides of the River 

18"^ was our March meeting by adjotu'ument which I attended 

19*'' John Gilmur mended two of the toes of my Dung fork and I 
attended a proprietors meeting of Dartmouth 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 213 

2&"' I went to Litclifielcl and got 14 bushell of Rie from Esq Underwood 
and lie sent his team with it up to Reads ferry and I brot home 2 bxishell 
of it for to sow and the other 12 bushell I took up into Mr Alexanders 
house and Ensign Moors team is to take it to his mill tomorrow 

21'*' was a training in Bedford and my bror Sam^' reed the Capts 
Coniission and Daniel Moor the Lieuts and I pland the River and high- 
ways from Amoskieg falls to Piscataqiiog and the high\vays on each side 
for Mrs Godfrey about the ferry 

22*1 I got a pound of shugar from Matthew Littles wife on Cr and John 
Gihnur shut a Link of my Treases and I brot home 4 bushell of Meal of . 
the Rie that I got from Esqr Underwood the 20th Instant from Lieut 
Moors Mill 

23'! I filled 2 pair of Indentures for jenny Conns 2 childer the selectmen 
and her bound one to Richards MacAlester and the other to Robert 
Gihnur of Goffestown and I writ articles between sd jenney and Robert 
for the improvement of 12 sheeps of jeneys and charged a Dollar Robert 
is to pay 4/ and Richard 2/ and we Drawed the Warrant of suj'veyors of 
highway 

25"^ I killed 4 partridges this morning and I sowed 2 bushell of spring 
Rie and about 19 Quarts of spring Wheat and I got 2 bushell of Rie from 
Hugh Orr of this tOA\Ti on his bror Johns acct by an order from widow 
Caldwell of Litchfield And Capt Barron and I Reed the presceipt to 
call a meeting in conjunction with amherst to Elect a Representative for 
to meet at Portsmouth the 17th of May next and we drawed a Wart to 
the constable of Bedford to meet at the Barn of Lieut Daniell Moor of 
Bedford on the 11th of May next for that purpose 

26''' I brot home from Lieut Moors Mill 8 bushells of Rie meal being of 
the 12 bushell he brot from Reads feiTy for me on the 21st Instant 

27"' I pd Mrs Clogston the last of the meal we Borrowed from her about 
a fortnight ago and I took home one of Capt Walkers baggs I borrowed 
last week and pattersons and Capt Goffes and both of Matthew Littles 
bags all borrowed at the same time 

28"^ I sowed a bushell and a half and a quart of Rie in the south end of 
the old field before the house yesterday and today I fitted some stuff for a 
loom and I cated 2 pickeral at the pond being the first I catched this 
year 

29"^ I worked at fitting the loom Stuff Some 

30"' I fitted some more Stuff to the Loom 

MAY SECOND 

I sent John to Mr James Caldwells and he got 12 quarts of Barly and 
half a bushell of Flaxseed on Cr and I sowed the barly and went to Litch- 
field to run Lines for Esqr Underwood and John Quig 

3'' I run lines for them and my wife got about 6 Quarts of Barly and 6 
Pounds of pork from Hannah Barnet 

4"' I pland my work and Returned home 

5"' I sowed some peas and I went to Lieut Caldwells and I got 3 busliell 
of potatoes from him and Mrs Scobey gave me lOj^ £ of clear pork a 



214 MATTHEAV PATTEN's DIAIIY. 

present it began to Rain between Sundown and Dark and Rained moder- 
atly all night 

6"' was a Considerable Moderate Rain 

7th I -^yeut in the forenoon to Rob' Morrials about our web and in the 
afternoon I went to Lieiit Reads and got 8 bushell of Corn that Daniel 
Quig brot there for me 6 bushell of it was from Esqr Underwood and 2 of 
it from his father and I brot it to the bank of the River with Lieut Reads 
horse and I put 4 bushell of it into Mr Alexanders and the other 4 I took 
to Lieut Caldwells mill and got it ground and home that night 

9th J went to see Capt Karr about the money I owe him he sent word by 
W" Macdugall 

10"' the towns of Bedford and Amherst met at Lieut Daniel Moors Barn 
and Chose Col Goffe to Represent them in the General Court the Colonel 
had 51 Votes and Capt Barron had 21 

12"^ I went to Londonderry with Joseph Scobey to help to settle his 
administration of Alex"^ Kellseys estate with the Heirs 

13"i was on the business of Samiiell Livermore Matthew Thornton and 
Stephen Holand Esqrs but I could not consent to the settlement for they 
made him pay 2/6 pr £ compound Intrest for the personal Estate from 
about 9 mouths after administration to this day allso the same Rate of 
Intrest on the advance of the sale 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MAY 13th 1768 BEING 
PART OF SAID DAY 

Sale of part of the personal Estate londged at Doctr Thorntons 

14th -^j. Scobey and I came home about one or two a Clock in the after- 
noon and after I came home I drawed an acct for David Rowell against 
Anne Longfellow and a plea to be given in at a justices Coui-t next Mon- 
day before Andr MacMillan Esqr and our big heifer Calved a Bull calf 

16"^ Capt Barron and I reed 1-5-6 La : Mo : from John Bell on his con- 
stableship and I reed 6/10 prinsaple and 6 months Intrest from Capt 
Goffe of the Tax money and I got 3 bushell of pottoes from Joseph Scobey 

17'^ I pd the money to Tho^ Warren that I got from Bell and Goffe I 
made it up 1-12-8 L : M : and took his Rect the money I reed from Goffe 
was a Dollar and a pistereen and I gave him no change 

18"^ I brot the 4 bushell of Indian corn that I left at Alexanders on the 
7th Instant to Lieut Caldwells and got it Ground and home 

19"' I finished plowing for planting in the Forenoon and I got 9 quarts 
of Seed Corn from Capt Goffes wife and a few string Beans that I got 3 
bushell of potatoes from Joseph Scobeys and few String Beans from Lieut 
Caldwells wife and near 3 Quarts of white beans from Lieut Daniell 
Moor 

20"^ I sowed about % of a buslaell of flaxseed and I hung a Net and went 
to the falls and fished aboiit an hoiir and catched nothing but Eben' 
Hacket gave me 3 shad 

2ist I got 7 quarts of seed corn more from Capt Goftes wife which 
makes half a bushell in all from her and my bror Sam^^ found me about 2 
Gallon of Tar and I pitched my Canuoe with it and my boys planted corn 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 215 

22'! it was a flue Refreshing Raiu it has been a Dry time the week past 
has beeu very warm in the Evening the wind blowed up at N : E : 

23'i the wind at N : E : and the cool air we finished planting Corn and 
I went to the falls to see how the fish Run and I borrowed 3 shad from 
Eben' Hacket the night following a great white frost 

25**^ I set out to fish at Amoskieg Falls in the morning Oatched 40 shad 
3a of which I sent home and 10 I sold to Capt Alld for for 30/ old Tenor 

26"^ I got but one Shad and fished a good deal 

27"^ I cated 28 and I borrowed 3 of Sam'^ Richards 10 of which I sold to 
Capt Alld and 21 I sent home 

28**1 I got 3 shad one of which I got home and one I lost the other I 
dont remember what I did with it and Hackett paid me 30/ old Tenor 
being what was comeing from him to me on the settlement at the end of 
fish time in the year 1767 that we made of makeing our fishing place 
between the Pulpit and the Point 

29"^ Sabath day was at home 

30"^ I went to Derry with Francis Barnet to Mr Liverniores about 
Er^dngs case and his and John got 25 Shad 5 of which he gave the suttlers 
and 20 he sent home by my brors boys and two of which they lost off and 
18 came home 

SI" there was 14i< shad 10 of which I sent home 4^4 I let Hackett have 3 
of which I borrowed from him before I went to the falls to fish 

JUNE FIRST 

I got 75 Shad 60 of which I sent home by my jamey and 10 I keept over 
night 5 I let the suttlers have 4 of which I have credit for 

2*^ I got 38 I sent home 30 of them and the 10 that I keept over night and 
the 8 I keept over night 

3*1 I got 22 3 of which I let the Suttlers have and have credit for 2 and 
27 I sent home "with the 8 that I keeped over night 

4th I -\veut and showed Lieut William Stinston my farm between and 
New boston and bargained 150 acres being Nos 7 8 & 9 in the 2d Rang for 
210 Dollars and am to meet at Capt Karrs to give him a Deed on Monday 
next 

6"i I killed a Calf that weighed about 44 pounds I sent a quarter to 
Esqr Rand that weighed 113^ and a peice to Capt Barron gratis and 
another peice to Hannah Barnett gratis and she sent us 12 £ of clear pork 
and I \\Tit 2 deeds one for Samuell Tirrell and another for David McCleary 
Tirrells unpd McClearys to be settled by Weaveing and I went to Capt 
Karrs and there met Lieut Stinson and gave him a Deed of no 7 8 and 9 
in the second Rang for 210 Dollars and he paid me 117 }4 <^f ^ Dollar in 
gold and silver and gave me a Note for 27-16-0 La : Mo : being the Re- 
mainder 

7*'^ I paid John Bell 6-9-2 old Tenor by the remainder of my order from 
the selectmen last year and a Johanna and 1^ old Tenor made in the 
^vhole 55-0-6 old Tenor being the charges of my case ■\^^th Mr Houston in 
his house and 17/4}^ Lawfull Money on Nathaniel Gearfields acct toward 



216 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

tlie Servince and took his order ou Gearfield for it and I pd Capt Barron 
16/ La : Mo : which I owed to Nehemiah Raud of Charlston 

8* I paid Hugh Campbell what I owed him being 1-3-0 and I pd him a 
Shilling lawfull over that he could not make his change to me and I got 
John Gillmor to mend Mr Riisses wedges that we had at makeiug our 
fishing between the pulpit and SuUivans point the charge besides the iron 
was 10/ old Tenor and I went to the falls toward night 

9th I got 38 shad 22 of which I gave to Rob' MacMurphy and the other 
16 and 19 I borrowed from Hacket I sent home made 35 I sent home this 
day 

IQth I got 25 and I paid Hackett the 19 I borrowed from him yesterday 
and I borrowed 5 from Alex' McMiirphy that I sent home 11 this day 

11th J got 8 and I paid MacMurphy the 5 I borrowed from him yester- 
day and I gave him the other 3 

13''^ fished at our new Setting .place and got 6 and 14 alewives 

14"^ I came home and brot home my Cannoe and brot home the fish I 
got yesterday all the shad I got home this year of Johns and mine is 359 
and 23 I sold and a few John sold about 8 or ten 

W^ I paid Lieut Andrew Bradford 13-10-6 Bay old Tenor being what I 
owed toward 10 bushell of Rie I had from John Clogston the prinsaple was 
10-19-6 Bay old Tenor and I allowed him 1-11-0 bay old Tenor Intrest for 
it since the 29th of January 1766 and I went and Counted how many 
Staves Moses Clemeiit culled out of the 560 that my boys took to the River 
for him last week and there was 37 of them that he got 500 and 3^ and 3 
Staves 

16"^ I pd W'" Patterson 2 Dollars for 3 bushell of Indian corn I had from 
him last spring and I sent to Derry by his boy for a gallon of Molasses and 
I pd Ovid Houston 8-15-9^^ bay old Tenor being what I OAved him and I 
had suudrie articles from him to the amoimt of 5 £ one shilling and 8 
pence Bay old Tenor and I paid him the money and took his Rect in full 
and I got >^ £ of Tea from William Gordon for which I pd half a Dollar I 
crost the River at Capt Fletchers and I had my horse keeped at Capt 
Grealys and I went over the River to Mr Harods and lodged there over 
night 

17th I got 3 bushell of Corn from W" Patterson and what was over the 
3 bushell I had before the 3 Dollars I gave him yesterday paid it and I got 
the 3 bushell ground at Col Goffes mill and I paid Esqr Underwood a 
Johanna toward the Grain I had from this spring and another Johanna to 
him towards Tho^ Warrens note toward building the pulpit in Bedford 
meeting house 

18"^ I paid, Mr Fiske of Holhs 3-10-0 Bay old Tenor for his Taning and 
Currieing an ox hide and my old Mares skin they were both a great deal 
damaged before I took them to him which was spring was a 3 year and he 
took an ox hide that I dyed last March and 3 two year old heifers skin and 
a year old Steers skin and a Calf skins of mine with him to Tan for me 

lS"i I went to Capt Karrs and heard Mr Miller preach and Mr Houston 
was absent from Bedford 

20"> I lent Capt Karr 33^3 Dollars and took his Note for the money on 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 21T 

demand Aud I weut along with james Coweu and Run lines for him and 
widow Taylor for which Each of them is to pay me 2/ each La : Mo : aud I 
run the line between William Arbuckle and John AUds for which they 
paid me 2/ L : M : aud I lodged at Tho« Coweus on the 21st and I straigted 
the line between james Cowen and his bror Tho^ and Tho^ is to pay me 

21«* after I had straigted the above lines I came home and james Coweu 
feut his boy and horse with me as far as the great brook between Lieut 
Caldwells and Tho« Wallaces and I paid Nath" Gearfield 12V La : Mo : be- 
ing the Remainder for his service in Mr Houstons case aud mine last Decbr 
the other part I paid to John Bell on the 6th Instant and took his order on 
Gearfield for it which order he alowed in the bill this day on settlement 

22'i I weut to Londonderry aud I paid James Lyon 1 pound LaAvfull 
money for my note prinsaple and Intrest aud I paid Oapt Wear 1-15-10 
being what I owed his Wife before he married her and I gave their young- 
est child a Dollar aud they gave my wife a Lawn haudkirchief mth a 
flowered border aud I Got Lieut Browns note from Mr Livermores pren- 
tice (viz) Mr Prentice aud I lodged at Rob* Macmurphys 

23*1 I got some Cabagg plants from james Miller aud a parcel from Rob* 
McMiu-phy and I got 2 Gallon of Molasses from Deacon Taggart for which 
I paid him 4/ La^\'f ull money aud I got 9 qts of Rum from John Duncan 
came to 5-4-0 old Tenor and I could not pay him for want of makeing 
change and I got two pots mettle puding pauns from John Piukertou him 
and his wife from home aud I left 6/8 Lawfull to pay for them aud I left 
half a Ginea with Doctr Thorntons wife Sister for him to pay the charges 
of my two Rights in no 8 which was 2 Dollars and the Remainder to go 
toward what I owe him 

24t'' I pd Matthew Little a Gallon and a half of Rum which I borrowed 
from him on the 26th of last Decbr aud thereabout aud I went to the falls 
and I catched one salmon of 13 £ aud 7 shad and 9 eyls 

25'h I paid Fergus Kennedy 2 quarts of Rum that I borrowed from him 
last December or the beginning of January and in the afternoon Capt Bar- 
ron and I staked out the Road from Matthew McDuffies to james Caldwells 

27*'' I weut and fished awhile at the setting place and got 2 shad aud I 
gave them to Timy Johnsou and I went and lodged at Esqr Walkers 

28*11 I weut to Lieut Stinsons and he paid me 79 £ old Tenor and 8 
johanuas equal to 64 Dollars and 2 Crowns aud 2 Dollars aud 2 quarters of 
a Dollar and 5 pistereens the whole amounted to 82 Dollars and 40/ Bay 
old Tenor and I took his note for 3 £ La : Mo : to be paid the 6th of June 
1769 aud I Got 4 Bushell of Rie at % a Dollar pr bushell aud I Endorsed 
the 2 Dollars the price of it on the Note and I got the Rie gi-ouud at Eatous 
mill and I got 2 new shoes set on my horses fore feet at Capt Karrs and I 
am to pay them in Runing lines they were all his iron and nails 

29*'^ I paid Moses Vickery a Johanna I owed him 7 Dollars and a pister- 
een and he is to Return me 4 pistereens as soon as he can change the 
johanua and I got 4 bushell of Indian Corn from Rob* Alexander for which 
I paid him 8 pestereens and I got it ground at Lieut Caldwells mill 

30"' I Measured ofif 600 feet of Boards at my hoiise to John Dinsmore 
which with 800 he had from William Bell of GofEstown on my acct paid 



-18 JNIATTIIEW TATTKN's DIAltY. 

hiiu what I tnvi'd liiiu and ]-l!)-Oold Tenor over whic^i lie owes mo now 
and I went to Lo : Derry and got 5 quarts of Rum from John Duncan and 
I paid him for it and 9 qiiarts I had from him the 23d Instant the whole 
came to 8-5-0 old Tenor and 3 shillings old Tenor for the 3d of a bole of 
Tody and I Reed the change of a Crown peice from John Pinkortons wife 
which I gave to pay 3 iron puding panns on the 33d Instant they 49/ old 
Tenor each 

JULY FIRST 

Went to John Bells and writ 3 advertisements for him for liis Del)tors to 
come and Settle with him spent the forenoon on the accts and Ann Wal- 
lace and Ann Scoby lielpt my wife to Qiilt and Tho^ McLaughlins Wife in 
the afternoon 

2'i Ann Wallace and Mr ^\i-rowin lielped my ^\•ife to quilt and Rachel 
BaiTon in the afternoon and I spent the day in niakeing a Draught of our 
g:reivances in Bedford and let jonas Cutting have a Dollar 3 pistereens I 
owed him since fish time was a year and the other two he owes me 

4"' I settled accts with David Moor for all the work he has done for me 
since he set up in Bedford and he fell 1-13-3 Bay old Tenor in my Debt 
and John Gilmor di'awed twobeals for iron puding pann a little longer and 
I paid John Wallace 2 pistereens for a Galk>n of Molasses I had from him 
about the 17th or ISth of February last and I got a Calfskin from Oapt 
Barron that he tanned and Ciu'ried f(H' me 

5th I ^yj-it; ^ Deed from Capt Barron To Tho^ Murdough of 3 meadow 
lotts in the ash swamp and I with Capt Barron to John Bells and Settled 
with him on his Constableship and he cleared all off being 27-4-1 LawfuU 
money and Capt Barron took the money 

6"' finished a pail for oui* selves and I went and left word at james Voses 
with his Wife for him to come to my house tomorrow morning 

7"' I and james Vose went to Capt Barrons and I i)aid them 0-3-8 Law- 
full Money toward what I owe the town and we di-awed a Wart for a 
town meeting to be held the 35th Instant 

8*'' I went and hauld home a stick for an axle tree for a Cart and the 
Remainder of the day I workt at a pail 

9"* I finished the pail I made it Setwork and I set up a washing tubb in 
the hoops and I went to Joseph Scobeys and I got 38 £ of Pork at half a 
pistereen pr pound came to 6-6-0 Bay old Tenor and I did' not pay for it 
for he could not change a Johanna I had or I shoud 

11"' Joseh Kennedy came in the morning to to make me a pair of Cart 
wheels 

13t'> I bot a scyth from Alex-" Willson of New boston for 5-15-0 old Tenor 
and I paid him 3 pound 13 shillings old Tenor of it and the RenurindiT I 
owe him 

14"^ he finished Makeing My Wheels I workt with all the time he could 
not tell me how much I must pay him for makeing tliem but proposed to 
have me make him some planes for plain ceiling toward the makeing them 
and after finishing them I went up to james Pattersons frame and found 
where the East line of his land to know where to set his house 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 219 

15th I -vvorkt some at fitting a new Axle tree for my Wheels and jolin 
got 353 Cabage plants from Samiiell Vose 

16"^ I finished makeing my Axle tree and I went to Samuell Pattersons 
to try to get him to make me a pair of Pumps 

18"' I carried Sole and upper leather to Samell Patterson and he began 
to make my pumps and I shaved 10 Rake handles for Matthew Little and 
I went in the afternoon to the Raising of james Pattersons house 

19"' I shaved some rake stalls for Matthew Little and went to p,mes 
Patterson house frame and hewed a poplar tree for a Cloath and yearn 
beam for our loom and my wife brot a pair of pumps from Sam^^ Patterson 
that he made for me 

20"^ I set out for Boston and lodged at Mrs Osgoods in Bilerica 

21^' got to boston about Ho clock lodged at Mrs Cochranes Samuell 
Cocliranes "Widow 

22'! left Boston after Dinner and came to Mrs Osgoods and lodged there 

23'i I paid Col Stoddard 3-8-0 Lawfull Money on Zachariah Cuttings 
acct being of his Wages as a soldier in New Hampr about the year 1747 
which I drawed for him by a power after he left this part of the countrey 
and I came home on this Journey I laid out for things bot for ourselves 
and Expences 35-4-8 Bay old Tenor 

25"^ I attended a town Meeting in the afternoon and james Patterson & 
Thomas Maclaughlin catched 4 Salmon I had one that weighed V2% £ and 
the three that they had weighed about 30 £ 

26th & 27th I workt at Rakes for Matthew Little 

28"^ We plowed up our Cow yard land and my boys and I catched a 
Salmon that we guesed to weigh 10 £ and I had it 

29''' I set out at break of Day and tryed with Tho« Maclaughlin & Na- 
thaniel Patterson for a Salmon but got none and went to Lieut Stinsous 
and got 2 biishell of Rie and 2 bushell of Indian corn on acct of his Note 
and came home about the middle of the afternoon and I and Bob with 
james Patterson catched 3 Salmon and I had 2 that weighed 17 £ 

30th I gQ^ Qug bushell of the Indian and the Rie I got home yesterday 
groimd at Col Goffes Mill and the Rest of the day my jamey and I spent 
in fishing Salmon we catched 5 that weighed 55 and I got one of 10 £ 

AUGUST FIRST 

We got 7 Salmon and I got 2 that weighed 17 £ I am 3 £ behind and 
Tho^ Maclaughlin is one pound behind james Patterson 

2<i I finished makeing 12 Rakes for Matthew Little he found the timber 
for the stalls and heads and I found the bows and the teeth and made 
them & I settled Tho^ Warrens Note & I paid him 4-4-1 being the Re- 
mainder 

3'^ I went to Derry and Chester and lodged at Major Tolfords 

4th I paid Major Tolford 5-2-0 La : Mo : toward what I owe him and I 
paid William Tolford 4-16-7 La : Mo : toward what I owe him and I got 
^% quarts of Rum from John Duncans junrs Wife for which I paid her 
5-12-0 old Tenor and yesterday Will'" Moitows \A'if e gave me a purse workt 
in holes with Creull and my ^vife got 2 Salmon that weighed 18 £ one 



220 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

weighed 10 the other 8 £ the 10 £ one was tainted before she got it so that 
it would not keep by Salting 

gth I -began to fitt to rails the fore side of my barn 

6* I paid James Willsou 3-3-0 old Tenor to pay to his bror Alex'^ being 
the Remainder of the price of the Sythes I had from him the 12th of last 
July and I and the boys finished Raiseing the barn and got some Stones 
from the house to barn to underpiun the foots of the posts and bob and 
Da-v-id and I spent all the afternoon a fishing we catched one at Pattersons 
brook and 12 at a haull at Cold brook and then Tho« McLaughlin came to 
us and we got 3 more at Pattersons brook at 2 Draughts I got 11 £ to 
make me up what I was behind of our former catching and I got 48 £ in 
the Di\'ision more and 10 £ one over I was one pound behind which made 
me 9 £ ahead of Tho^ and 10 ahead of jamey 

gth Y^Q fished from about half an hour after Midnight to morning and 
we got but one and we gave it to Matthew Little for the Stuff to make 
the Corks to our Nett and my boys and I underpinned the foots of the 
posts of the fore side of the barn and Naild on the boards Round the sides 
again 

9'^ I uncovered part of the Roof of my barn on the back side and I went 
to Lieut Stinsons and got 2 bushell of Indian corn and 2 of Rie and got 
home at about 11 o Clock I suppose 

10"^ John and I carted home 40 boards of them that the boys hauled to 
the river last faull that David Moor was to have taken down the River 

ll*'^ I hauled iip the Remainder that was left of them there was 23 or 
24 boards lost of what was hauled to the River last faull and John took 
the 4 bushell of Grain to Lieut Moors mill that I brot from Lieut Stinsons 
on the 9th and got the Rie ground 

12'^^ Samuell Patterson brot home the Indian meal from Lieut Moors 
Mill and he began to make some Mogosenes for my boys and John and I 
New boarded the back side of the barn 

13'*^ he finished makeing 3 pair one for John jpjxies and bob and we new 
battened the fore side of the barn and finished Reaping oiir barley we had 
Stooks and Sheaves of it 

14"^ I heard Mr Miller preach in Derryfield 

15"^ we reaped the Rie above the barn all but a few sheaves with 2 
Stooks and 2 Sheaves that was reaped on the 13th 

16*1^ we Reaped in the field by my brors and got but 35 sheaves I had 10 
stooks & 7 Sheaves above the barn 

17"^ I killed a Ewe very poor and We Reaped in the field by my brors 
We Reaped 49 Sheaves 

IS*'^ was foul weather in the forenoon tho but a little in the afternoon 
we finished Reaping the field by my brors We had 8 Stooks and 8 Sheaves 
in it this year in the whole and we Reaped 13 Sheaves of Wheat above the 
barn 

l&tii I Carted in the Rie that grew in the field by my brors and the Rie 
that gTew above the Barn and reaped in the old Field before the house at 
the Winter Rie 

20*'> we finished reaping the winter rie before the house there was 9 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 221 

Stocks and 3 Sheaves of it I had 2S}4 stocks of Wiuter Rie this year aud 
■\ve reaped 8 Stocks of Spring Rie 

22"^ We reaped our Spring Wheat there was 4)^ Stocks of it and in the 
afternoon we reaped 4 Stocks and 8 Sheaves of Spring Rie and Susanna 
went to Derry and got 9)^ quarts of Rum from John Duncans Wife for 
which she paid o : 13 : 4 old Tenor 

23'! We Reaped 8}4 Stocks of spring Rie 

24tii -^g Reaped a few Sheaves in the morning and finished Reaping 
the spring Rie there is 23 Stocks aud a Sheaf of Spring Rie and we Reaped 
8}>4 stocks of Wiuter Wheat 

25tii y^Q Reaped 3 Stocks and 11 Sheaves of Wiuter Wheat which 
finished We had 13)^ Stocks of Winter Wheat I have 69)^ Stocks of 
Wheat and Rie and 3 Stocks and 4 Sheaves cf Barley this year 

26* James Patterson let me have his hror Samuells Horse and I went 
with him and my own to Lieut Stiusons and brot home 8 bushell of 
Indian corn from and I got my horse fore shoes steeled at the toes and 
Sst by Daniel Mack at Capt Karrs and I did not pay for it 

27*1^ I killed a snial Weather and Will'" Godfrey paid me 11 : 18 : 8 eld 
Ten'^ for my takeing a plan of the River and highAvays about their feiTy 
and down to Piscataqucg River beiug in full and I paid it away to John 
Bell ou his Brers Joseph acct for his makeing shoes for me 6 or 7 year 
ago and I Mowed 4 Cocks in the Little meadow being the first this year 

29th 30th ^ 3 1st -^Ye hayed at the Little Meadow 

SEPTEMBER 

let 2d & 3(1 Worked at the Little Meadow all this week fair weather Ex- 
ceept a Sixiall shower on Wednesday a little after break cf day 

5"^ in the morning a great Frost it killd the Corn potatoes pumpkins &c 
and I killed 18 pidgecns at two Shots and we worked at the Meadow 

6"^ a larger frost than yesterday lodged at Mr Caldwells last night and 
3 nights last week 

7"' lodged at Mr Caldwells no frost we had in the afternoou appearance 
of Rain but cleared off about the middle cf the afternoon quit clear 

8*'' a pleasaut fogey morning but it clouded up and the Due did not dry 
and clouded and Thundered and had a Smart shower about Noon and we 
came home and I killed three pidgecns 

9**^ Cleared up at about 10 or 11 of the Clock and we went to the Meadow 
aud turned hay and mowed a little 

10*'' We finished mowing this morning aud we Raked the lott in the 
N : W : corner of the squar it had 32 cocks on it aud what was en the 
East side cf the Brock in the Dispute lott there was 20 cocks of it & we 
got 2 qts of Rum from james Smith on Cr 

12*11 Was a considerable Rain we went to the Meadow but could not do 
anything with the hay 

13"' James Vose and I Veiwed W" Arrowins fences and the damage 
done in his corn and Potatoes and the boys and I put put up a Stack on 
the East side cf the brook of 45 cocks and one north of the maple tree of 



222 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

14tii -y^g Stacked the stack S : West of the maple tree of about 30 cocks 
iu it and the Stack in the N : W : Corner of the Sqnar of 34 or 35 Cocks 
in it 

15"^ Robert Burns helped me and we stacked McCleary lot of 36 cocks 
in it and the Dispute Lott with 31 cocks in it I had 244 cocks in the Little 
meadow this year and John paid for the 2 qts of Ruiu we had from janies 
Smith for the 10th Instant 

16**1 J Iq^ ijiy ijoys play and I cut a Walnut stick on Francis Barnetts 
land 

17th I gQt; a Galon of Molasses on Cr from John Wallace 

19"! Math^ Little paid me 12V La : Mo : for makeing 12 Rakes for him 
this Summer and some change I overpaid him the 28th of last June and I 
went to Col Lutwyches and I paid him 12 £ old Tenor toward what he 
says I owe him and I got 4 £ of Hogs fat for greaseing Wool and 2 £ for 
frying from Joseph Scobey and my wife got 4 £ for Greaseing Wool from 
him 

20'*^ our belled heifer took bull by Goffes bull and I made 3 new Ox 
bows 

(Manifestly, two sheets of the Diary are here missing.) 

OCTOBER 1768 

IS'^i we had Marey Riddell Susanna McAllester Nancey Little Rosse 
Boies Lisey Moor Betty Love Margret Wallace Ann Scobey Margaret 
Burns and Rachel Barron helping us to Break, wool and Jean Bell and I 
got 21-2 gallon of Rum from Richard McAllesters wife on Credit 

14th J went to the Little meadow and gathered some Indian Hemp and 
I lent my bror Sam^i 15 Score of Barrel Staves 

IS'^i I writ a letter to Govr Benning Wentworth Esqr concerning the 
Meadow lott no 70 and went to Col Goffes for him to carrie down next 
week 

17tii I got in the last of my corn and in the evening I lent my horse to 
Elizth Moor to go to her cosen Mary McKinneys wedding tomorrow to her 
fathers and Will'" Godfrey spoke to me to come to their Vendue the 
31st Instant 

18*'^ I began to hew loggs to do up the inside of our outside Cellar 

19th 20"! & 2P' I got Timber to do up the inside Celar 

22'^' I workt at the Bridge at Majr Goffes and I hewed 4 string peices 
for a New Bridge only Lieut Moor hewed 2 sides of the New String peices 

23*1 was Mr Houstons Sacrament he had 11 heads of famelys (besides 
his Deacons) and two single men joyned vnth him 

24th I had James Pattersons 2 pair of Oxen and Nath'* Patterson a draw- 
ing the timber to do up our outside Celar and I got 12 sticks of Slit work 
that Majr Goffe sawed out of a Log of mine 

25"» we put in half of the loggs we hauled yesterday and in the Evening 
before it began to Rain and Rained all Night very hard 

26*^ we finished puting in the logs of two sides and the uper end and I 
hewed Stuff for the door posts Cell and Cap 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 223 

27"' I hauled it home with my horse 

28"' I framed at the Door frame 

29"' I hewed more logs for doing up the lower end of the Cellar and 
Sami' Patterson finished makeing a pair of Shoes for my jamey 

31st I "svent to widow Godfreys and Run some lines and Vendued some 
land of their Estate and lodged there over night 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

was on the same business and got home about dark and I drawed a deed 
of part of the land they sold to Mr Sam" Blodget and took a plan off of 
some lotts in Goffestown for him in the evening and Mrs Mathies went 
away home from work at our house 

2"^ & S"! I workt at getting timber for the Cellar 

4"' Capt Barron gave us a barrel of Cydar and I had Matthew Littles 
oxen and I hauled a Ridge pole to the Cellar and a few other sticks 

5th I -vvorkt at the Cellar and james Caldwell Senr gave me a heifer Calf 
and I brot it home in the Evening and John went to mill vnth 4 bushell of 
Indian corn of our own Raising and got 2 of it ground the other 2 he left 
at the mill 

6"' Mr Houston was in Hailstown 

7^'' & 8"' and half of the 9"^ I workt at the Cellar and about noon on the 
9th I was taken with the augue in my flesh and I went to bed very much 
out of Case and John Helped W"' Barnet 

IQth '^as a snowey day and W"' Barnet and W" Arrowiu and my boys 
Butchered my Ox he weighed 442 £ of beaf and 72 pound of hide still con- 
tinued unable to get up 

11"' 12th 13th 14th still confined to bed 

15"' Martha Burns finished Spining she was here 5 weeks 

16"' she went a Visiting up the River 

17"' she went home and Susanna went to Derry and brot 2 qts of Rum 
from Duncans and pd a pistereen for it 

18"' & 19"' still unable to do any work but not confined to bed the disor- 
der settled in my left leg and John got 2 bushell of Indian corn ground at 
Lieut Moors 

20"' the night before it snowed aboixt 2 inches deep and this day it hailed 
and Rained by turns all day and the wind high at North and from that to 
East uutill we went to bed 

2pt still cloudy and Snowed a little in the morning and continued to 
snow moderately all day and W'" Barnett brot me an iron Squar from 
Ovid Houston I am indebted for it to Ovid 

22'' It cleared away pleasant the snow is about 4 inches deep the bottom 
is solid and the top light 

23'! I hewed 7 Sticks for the Roof of the Clar being the first work I have 
done since the 9th Instant when I was taken out of case 

24"' WAS THE GENERAL THANKSGIVBING THROUGH THE 
PROVINCE 

25"' a moderate day and I borrowed 16 Spools from W" Baruetts wife 

26"' W" Barnett helped me butcher my hogs and Jonathan Currier 



224 MATTHEW patten's DIJAKY. 

helped till we had Scalded them aud Scraped and jouas Cutting helped me 
likewise my hogs weighed 440 £ the barrow weighed 161 and one of the 
Sows weighed 140 £ aud the other weighed 139 and I ^vrit 4 advertisements 
for Jonas for the sale of the lott I gave him in Bedford & W™ Barnett pd 
me the beaf he borrowed the 6th of Octr 

27th "When we got up in the morning the snow had fell 7 inches deep 
last night 

28"' the boys and I put the Hewed Stuff on the Roof of our out Cellar 
and throwed on the sand on the Roof 

29"* We fixed up two hewed posts under the Ridge pole aud I got a 
bushell of salt from John Wallace on Cr 

30"' I cut up our pork and my Wife Salted a barrel full of it in the out 
Cellar and John got a bushell of Indian corn and a bushell of Rie ground 
at Lieut Daniel Moors mill 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I workt some at fitting up my slay and getiug wood 

S*^ at the same business 

3'^ I went to the Meadow with my horse Slay and brot home 3 or 4 hun- 
dred of hay out of the Stack in the Dispute lott aud was a Clear day a 
Warm Sun but a Cold An- 

4"' it Snowed in the morning hard a little while and then left off and in 
the afternoon it began to Rain and Rained in the Evening and Night fol- 
lowing Extremely hard and before Morning the wind chopt to the N : 
W : and blowcd hard the Rain took the most of the snow off 

5tii ]\Xy -wife was much out of case with the augue in her head by her 
di'awiug a quantity of fish out of a barrell one day last week aud I got a 
qt of Rum from Mary Riddell for which I pd her 5V in Silver and we got 
up our Turnips and cut the toops & all piit in the Cellar before we went to 
bed 

6"' I workt some at the porch of the New frame Cellar aud toward Even- 
ing I went to Matthew Littles and I "writ a Deed from Hugh Riddell to 
George Hadley of three lotts of laud in Misteik farm in Goffestown and 
Waited to hear the award in Sam'^ Richards case with jas Vose about 
Voses ox aud got home about 4 clock in the morning 

7"' John Went Mill aud got 2 bushell of Rie and a bushell of Indian corn 
ground it snowed in the morning and then left of and began again in the 
afternoon and Snowed very hard out of the N : E : untill some time in the 
niglit it fell 5 inches deep 

8"' I mended my horse collar aud John Gillmor mended the steeples of 
my Hems and made a new link for them aud ciit aud Shut it again and I 
did not pay it 

9"' I went to the Meadow in the afternoon with my horse Slay aud brot 
home two or three hundred of hay it was almost all wet 

12"' I went to the meadow early in the morning & brot home a jag of 
hay aud in the afternoon to Capt Barrons and speut the Rest of the day 
and Evening prepareing to make the Rates 



MATTHEW patten's DIAllY. 225 

13"^ before day I was taken with a trembling and was seized with a pain 
in my Right breast & in smart pain 

14"> Sent to John Wallace to come and blood me but he had no launce 

15"^ We sent to Lieut Daniel Moor to come and blood me and W'" Cald- 
well was at. our house in the Evening and bled me in my Right Arm 

16"^ Lieut Daniell Moor came and bled me in my left arm and Doctr 
Fudger came to see me and advised to a posset drink turned with Vinegar 
with a teaspoonful of salt petre Disolved in it to make me sweat Since I 
have been sick I got two quarts of Rum and two quarts of Molasses of 
Mary Riddell and gave her a pistereen 

17"^ W" Caldwell came and bled me in my Right arm 

18"' Lieut Daniel Moor and his Wife came to see me and he bled me in 
the feet 

19th -^m Caldwell came and bled me in my left arm and I got two 
quarts of Rum from Mary Riddell 

20"' I sit up some today 

21 St was able to sit up but very inwardly weak 

22'^ and the night following there fell a Snow of 10 inches or a foot Deep 
the wind at North and high 

28^^ the wind high and the snow drifted and very cold John cut wood 

24"' cloudy but considerable moderate and John went to Lieut D Moors 
mill with two bushell of corn and before he went to mill he hauled home 
what wood he cutt yesterday 

26"' the boys got wood 

27"' The boys got wood in these two days I Recorded the lists of Rates 
and Warts 

28"' was a thawey day and Rained a considerable deal in the afternoon 

29"' I sent to Capt Barron and james Vose to come and Sign the list and 
Warts Capt Barron came and Signed and Vose was not at home it still 
continiied to thaw and in the Evening the wind blowed from the S W : 
and Rained a great deal that by morning the snow was cheifly gone 

3P' I went as far as Pattersons the first I have been abroad since I was 
sick 

JANUARY 1769 

1"' was Sabath day 

2'^ John winowed up 3 bushell of Rie & went to Lieut D Moors mill and 
got it ground and I went out as far as David Moors shop 

3'^ John finished a board Chimney in our outside Cellar and I got some 
Walnut bark the back side of james Littles field on Francis Barnetts laud 

5"' a pleasant moderate morning about ten the wind checkt about to N : 
W : and blowed hard and james Vose came to my house and Signed the 
lists of Rates and Warts 

6"' I sold my steer of a year old past which suckt to W'" Boies of New- 
boston for two Dollars and he gave me a 12 £ bill of Crown point money 
which I scrupld to take but he promised if it would not pass he would 
make it good to me and I went to Deacon Gillniors and -v^Tit a Deed from 
him of his home place and the 50 Acre lott he had of Majr White to liis 
15 



'226 MATTHEW patten's DIAitY. 

son James and Another Deed of his Meadow lott in the great Meadow to 
his two Daughters and I woiild not take any pay for it 

7^^ I attended the funeral of Deacon Littles son Joseph who Departed 
this life about 11 of the clock at night of the 5th Instant 

8"^ Sabath day 

gtii I -vvent to John Gillmoors Shop and he mended the button end of the 
«crauk of my wifes wheel and made part of a New horse shoe for me and 
John went to Mary Riddels and got 9 quarts of Molasses and he gave here 
a 12 £ bill and a pistereen and got a Dollar in change 

10"^ I went to John Gillmoors Shop and he made the Shoe and fitted the 
Hest and Made the nails and he came to my house and Set the four shoes 
the iron that made the shoes and nails was mine and the Steel that he put 
into the New Shoe was his and John got 5 quarts of Molasses from Mary 
Hiddell and gave her no money 

ll''' was a moderate day and cloudy it misted the most of the day and 
near night it began to Rain and continued to Rain exceeding hard till I 
suppose Midnight 

12*^ a fair pleasant morning like the spring and moderate and I went to 
the . Spruce swamp and got some spruce and brot home and I came by 
iames Mathies and lookt on his place on acct of our talk of swaping it to 
my farm in Goffestown 

13"^ I went and got a Stick for the sole peices for a Slea at the top of the 
long Slanting hill 

14"i I hewed the sole peices of my Slea 

16"^ I writ a Deed from Math"' Little to John Aiken of no 14 in the 7th 
Hang for it little gave me a pistereen and I went to Litchfield and I lodged 
at W'" Pattersons 

17th ^m Patterson informed me the night before that he had bought 20 
bushell of Corn from John Parker and paid it with his own Money at 19V 
pr bushell Silver money for me and I brot away 4 bushell of it and got it 
gi'ouud at Col Goffes mill 

18"^ I went and Run lines for Capt Barron and Thomas Murdough 
liound part of Miu-doughs place between him and John Aiken and between 
him and some of Capt Barrons meadow lotts and did some Writings be- 
tween them and they agreed to pay me equaly and John went to the 
meadow and brot home some hay out of the burnt lott it was froze all into 
Cakes by Reason of the Rains after the Stack was broke 

19^^ this day I was to. have gone to Lieut Barns of Merry mac to Run 
lines but was unable to do it 

20"i was a Cloudy day and John brot home a jag of hay and I went to 
Lieut Moors and got near 4 bushel of Rie ground 

21**' I brot home a jag of hay 

33<^ I brot home 2 jags of hay 

24*'^ I brot home one and John Gillmoor made 2 new Staples for my 
horses hems of my iron 

25"^ I brot home one and in the afternoon John broke one of the sole 
peices of my Slea 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 227 

2Qih. 27th ^ 2§th I -svorked at makeiug our slea these 2 last days was very 
warm aud pleasaut 

30'h I finished makeiug the Slea in the Evening 

3P' I began to frame at our Loom but was hindered a good deal with 
company & John brot home a jag of hay with the new Slea 

FEBRUARY 

1^' a Cloudy morning aud began to Snow about the middle of the day 
and snowed that by next morniug the snow was about 10 inches Deep and 
I brot home the last of the stack in the burnt lott the wind N: N: E : 

2ti continued cloudy all day aud the wind in the same quarter and Mr 
Amos Fisk of Holhs brot me the Veal skin that he took away last June 
With several others to tann for me and I Sent an Ox hide that weighed 72 
and a cow hide that weighed 52 pound with him on his Slea 

S^ I brot a jag of hay out of the stack on the East side of the brook in 
the Squar being the fii'st of the Stack 

4"^ brot another jag of hay 

6 & 7"^ Very windy aud Exceeding cold I worked at the loom and on 
the 6th John Gillmor new laid two Turning hooks for John 

8"^ keen cold but not so windy and I worked at the loom 

gth I -\yeut and Measured a peice of meadow for David McCleary that he 
sold to Sam^i Gibson aud writ the Deed 

10*'^ I Divided his Estate between him aud his sou David aud I writ the 
Deed and came home that Evening these three last days johu brot a jag of 
hay each day 

11'^ I brot home a jag of hay aud did a little to the loom 

IS"" I went to Litchfield aud got a side of Sole leather from Deacon 
Kenndell of Mr Fiske of HoUis of 10)^ £ weight to be Settled with sd Fisk 
and I gave Esqr Underwood the 2X Dollars that johu McLaughlin of New- 
bostou gave me on the 17th of Janry last to give to him and I settled Abel 
Websters note mth Esqr Underwood aud he Reed 8/9 La^vful on my acct 
and I owe him yet 11/s Lawful yet for what grain I had from him Last 
spring aud I got 8 bushell of the corn from johu Parker that W" Patter- 
son bot for me 

14"! James Gillmor brot a load of hay for me ou his fathers acct aud I 
brot a jag Avith my horse 

15 & 16"! I measured Hugh McColleys land out of Mr Godfreys Estate 
for Mr John Darling administrator for which he paid me two Dollars and 
Run part of the 17th for him of what he sold to Tho« Newman 

17"^ I measured Mr Russes land for Capt Stark for which he gave me a 
Dollar aud for the plan 

18"» I run lines for Capt Karr aud johu brot home 5 jags of hay with the 
horse in these 4 days 

20"' I went to Sam'i Pattersons to get him to come and malve some shoes 
and it rained a considerable & I pd John "Wallace 1-5-0 bay money toward 
the bushell I had of him 

21«' I went to Capt Karrs and took Capt Barrens brown mare with me 
to get shod she had a pair ou her fore feet and I got them steeld ou the 



228 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

toes & heels and I found a paii- of good shoes for her hind feet Ready steeled 
at the toes and had them steeled at the heel and all sett and I had a streek 
of my Cart Tyre Welded that was broke and 73 Cart Nails the nails weighed 
six pound and ten Ounces the whole of the Stuff was Karrs Except the shoes 
and I Avi-it 2 Deeds for George Hadley and Eben'' Hacket of their places 
one to the other and two instruments one for each to Discharge each a 
Mortgage but hacket did not Deliver and they Difered the affair- for a fort- 
nigh and Hacket gave me a pistereen toward my pay and Hadley paid 
nothing 

32^1 janies Vose came to my house and he and I went to Capt Barrons 
and then they and I came to my house We spent the Day in wi'itiug a letter 
to jos Scobey one to John Bell one to Mr Houston and two Advertisements 
and Examining Divers persons Rates who sayes they are over Rated and 
John cleaned up two bushell of Rie 

23"^ worked a little at the loom 

34*'^ I got a bushell of Salt from John Wallace on David McClearys acct 
and I paid William Barnett the half bushell of salt that I borrowed from 
him on the 6th of last October and Hannah Barnett gave me a present of 
aboiit a pound of butter 

25th I went to James Caldwells and filled 4 Deed blanks of W'"^ one from 
James to his father and another from W'" to his bror james and 3 from 
their father 

(More pages missing.) 

AUGUST 1769 
and the boys Reaped 7^2 Stooks of Rie which finished the Rie I 



have 40 lo Stooks in all and Lieut Dan^^ Moor gave me a Dollar to help me 
and Mr james Caldwell gave me 23/6 Bay old Tenor and I borrowed two 
Dollars from Mr Math^^ Little and I paid the Justice the fine and his fees 
being 0-19-9 La: Mo: and Mr Houston his being 3/ La: Mo: and all the Rest 
I owe I gave Ramsey a note for his fees being 1-0-9 to be paid in three 
months with Intrest till paid And our black Cow took bull with Major 
Goft'es Bull 

12"^ I put the Tire on my cart wheels and the boys Reaped oiir barly we 
had 21 Sheaves and our spring wheat we had 16 sheaves of it and got all 
our Grain and flax in the barn Except what flax was water Roted and that 
they spread today 

14"^ Lowery weather and very warm I workt at fitting my Cart 

15"^ Was a very heavey Rain in the forenoon and in the afternoon John 
and I hauled home a cut of White pine clapboard length from the mouth of 
Pattersons brook and I got a fore bred for my cart body out of a Refuse 
plank from Majr Goffe 

16"^ I finished my Cart and I got 2 Refuse boards from Major Goft'e for 
the bottom and I sent John to Lieut Halls and Got 5 quarts of New Eng- 
land rum on Credit to be settled in what he owes me on his bror Tho"* acct 

17"' I tm-ned a knot dish that holds about 2 quarts in the forenoon and 
in the afternoon John and I went to the meadow and began to mow in the 
burnt lott and came home that night 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY, 229 

18"^ was hindered at home uiitill 9 or 10 o Clock aud johu had to go to 
johu Gillmors to get the heel of his seyth sett out aud he came at noon to 
the meadow aud lodged at Scobeys aud johu at Caldwells 

19"^ we finished the bm-ut lott iu the moruiug aud we mowed some in 
the squar and about the brik Cilu aud the path the Bucks aud we Raked up 
33 cocks that was dry and 13 that was too green we Raked up all on the 
outside of the Chandlers fence 

2P' I butchered a Ewe that weighed 29^ £ aud my bror had one side 
it weighed 15 £ and went to the meadow at Dinner time and the boys 
went about 7 or 8 o Clock aud lodged at Mr Caldwells 

22'i Joseph Scobey aud his boy W" Houston aud David Scobey came to 
the meadow about Sun riseing aud helped me mow uutill about 9 or 10 

Clock and Francis Baruet sent his man (viz) Reason Advice and to help 
me and he mowed for me all day aud johu aud I mowed all day 

2311 "^m Caldwell mowed with me uutill about 2 o Clock and John and 

1 mowed allso aud we finished mowing by that time of day aud W"' 
Caldwell went home and Sent his boy (viz) David Briant to help me 
Rake hay 

24"* I had David Briant helping me aud W" Caldwell helped me in the 
afternoon to Cock hay 

25''^ had David Briant helping me and we put up 4 stacks of 99 cocks 
aud turned and cocked 27 cocks iu McCleary lott 

26"' had David Briant part of the forenoon aud he was taken oiit of 
case aud went home and the boys and I finished stacking about 2 o Clock 

1 have 208 cocks iu all in the meadow this year there is 41 iu the bui-nt 
lott 26 iu the Dispute lott 33 iu McCleary lott which are Stacked iu Each 
lott there is 28 iu the stack iu the N : W : corner of the Squar aud 20 iu 
the Stack north of the Maple tree aud 25 in that S : W : of the Maple tree 
and 35 in that on the East side of the Brook aud I writ 2 notes from David 
Scobey to his father aud took the acknowledgement of the Deed from his 
father to him aud I borrowed a Glass Bottle full of Rum from William 
Caldwell yesterday aud one of the boys aud I have lodged at Mr Caldwells 
each uight this week aud one uiglit two of the boys there has been no 
Rain since I began to get hay 

27*'^ Sabath day old Mr Currier informed us that he had seen a blazing 
Star the night before near the 7 Stars and the night following I see it 
about an hour below the 7 stars bearing something S : E : the blaze 
extended a little S : W : and appeared at about a yard aud a half or 2 yards 
long the Colour of the blaze is Whitish the star small I imagine the light 
of the blaze Reached a considerable way longer aud Spread wider and 
seemed to fork a little at the extreauiity of the light 

28"^ Sam" Vose came to my house aud he and I went to Capt Barrons 
and Consulted what defence to make against Abrham Merrills petition for 
a highway at the Sessions and we concluded for me to go down aud Vose 
and I went to Col Goffes and got a Citation from him to Merrile to hear 
some affadavits taken at the Colonels next thursday afternoon noon at 

2 o Clock and I came home aud Tho** Murdough was waiting on me and 
I drawed a Compt for him against Charles Black and a Wart thereon and 



230 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

he gave me a Dollar aud I gave liim no change the Coinpt & Wart & 
Subpeanas came to 3/6 Lawfiill 

29"^ I went to widow Godfreys and Abrham Merrill and Notified him of 
Depositions to be taken at Col Goffes on thursday next and Spoke to Tho^ 
Newmans wife Ezekial Stevens and jos George as Evidences and came by 
Sam" Voses but did not see him and came home toward Evening 

SO*'' I sowed on a paii' of Soles on my piinips and in the afternoon I was 
sent for to Mary Riddells where I went and held a Court between Tho» 
Mni-dough Complainant and Charles Black Respondant I adjourned the 
Coiirt nntill next Saterday at eight o Clock in the forenoon to my house 

31st J went and Summoned Joseph George & Ezekial Stevens james 
Gillmoor & W" Moor to appear at Col Goffes this afternoon in Merrills 
case and Bedfords about the highway and in the afternoon I with the 
other 2 selectmen attended at Col Goffes and to Mrs Newmans wifes 
Joseph Georges Ezeldal Stevens james Gillmor W"' Moors and james 
Marrs Depositions to go to Court against Merril 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I went according appointment to Esqr Walkers to assist in arbitrating 
between johu Hog and Robert Hog they settled their affair the Evening 
before themselves aud Lieut Stinson came there to inform me who gave 
me half a Dollar for my trouble and he pd me a Dollar and a third which 
was the last of the price of the land he had from me last year in Bedford 
and I came home at Evening 

2^^ Murdugh and Black appeared and I adjoiu-ned then- case untill 
Monday the 18th Instant at eight of the clock in the morning to my house 
and William Arrowin is blacks surety for his appearance then and I fitted 
a plan of the River aud highways about Men-ils ferry to take to the ses- 
sions next week and went to Widow Godfreys to know aboiit then- mare 
to go to Portsmouth 

4th ]y/[y "Wife and I set out for Portsmouth and I Reed a half jo from 
Capt Barron of the towns money to Defend against Merrils petition and 
I had 24-6-8 old Tenor of my own and I swore David Starrett in favr of 
Derryfield against Lieut Hall and we arrived at Mr Towlles in company 
with Col Goffe and lodged there that night 

5"^ we arrived at Portsmouth about 2 o Clock and Sitt in the Sessions in 
the Afternoon and We lodged at Mr Nobles 

6"^ I attend and sitt in the Sessions 

7"^ Merrils petition came under consideration was dismist Mr Liver- 
more was for Bedford against the petition and Pickerin aud Sullivan was 
for it Mr John Darling gave two Dollars and I gave two more to Mr Liver- 
more the Court would not alow costs me and I paid Col Goffe three Dol- 
lars toward the governors Meadow lott in the little meadow and took his 
Rect accordingly 

8*'^ It Rained in the morning aud we lay by till about 10 o Clock and it 
abated and we got our horses and it began to Rain again and we sett out 
and the mare Idckt up and throwed my wife backward and hm-t her 
considerable and. we turned back again and the Storm increased aud 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY, 231 

Raiued aud blowed hard the wind at N : E : it was a great Rain aud 
a hard Storiu 

9*ii we sett out about 10 o Clock aud Arrived at Towellses aud lodged 
there beiug Saturday night 

10"^ got home in the evening I had widow Godfreys mare down 

ll*ii I took Godfreys mare home 

12"^ I went and see my liay at the little meadow 

13"^ I went to Esq Lovewells at his Desire concerning some land in 
Hollis that was in the Law and lodged there the night following 

14'^ Esqr Lovewell and Esquu-e Shepard and Esqr Blanchard and I 
went to Hollis and Viewed several Bounds and I went to Esqr Lovewells 
and lodged there 

15*^ I got the Cloath from Mr Warner the Coathier that I sent there by 
my bror this summer there is 26 yds of it dresst cloath he charged me 
three shillings a yd Bay old Tenor came to 3-lS-O Bay old Tenor and 
Esqr Lovewell Engaged to pay him toward my Service for him and he 
gave me a Dollar toward my Expences to Portsm next week he Summoned 
me yesterday to go to Portsm next Monday to give Evidence at the 
Superioiu' Court concerning the land we were viewing yesterday in a Case 
wherein Mr Corwin and others appeallees and Mr Ball is appealant 

16''^ the boys and I heapt and burned old logs on the land we were- 
clearing 

IS*'^ I dismist Murdoughs Case and Black and aquitted Black and set 
out for Portsm in company with Esqr shepard and lodged at TowUes 

W^ I arrived at Portsmouth about 2 o Clock afternoon 

20*11 The Case came ou and was tried that I was taken down an Evi- 
dence on and the case went against Curwin and gave my acct to Esqr 
Lovewell in the Evening 

21^' I tarried and heard the Tryal of Capt Cavernaugh for the death of 
Capt George Henderson the jury found man slaughter the tryal began at 
about ten and lasted till after dark the jury gave their Verdict before 
9 the same Evening the same Day I Reed 3 dollars from Esqr Lovewell 
toward my journey to Court 

22<i I paid my Landress Noble what I was indebted to her husband of 
the last time I was there aud my Expence this time being in the whole 
7-6-8 new Hamp'' old Tenor and I came to Esqr Websters and lodged 
there 

23'! I came home about one o Clock I charged Esqr Lovewell 2-8-0 La : 
Mo : for my two days last week and 4 this week to Portsm and this we^k 
I found my horse aud bore his and my own Expences and last week he 
bore my Expences & I have Reed 1-4-0 La : Mo : aud he has promised to 
pay Mr Warner the Cloathier in Dunstable 3-18-0 Bay old Tenor as I 
mentioned before and the Remainder is due being 5-2-0 Bay old Tenor 

25*'^ I went to Lieut Daniel Moors to take his Invoice but he was not at 
home aud I Veiwed Deacon Moors land to Estimate it for the Invoice 

26"' I went along with my bror Sam" to Col Lutwychies being the time 
he adjourned Mr Houstons case and his and he judged luy bror Guilty 
aud he appealed and I was his Surity and I butchered a lamb that 



232 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

weighed 29 £ aud Lieut Moor came to my house and gave me his Invoice 
in the Evening 

27 & 28«i Capt Barron and I went to Sam^i Voses and with him we 
made the Rates and Vose took the list to the Constable and we just 
iinished with day light and came home in the Evening 

29"! I went to Capt Will'" Starkes pr desu-e of John Hogg to Arbitrate 
between him and his Coz Robert Hogg but Rob' would not come and John 
promised to pay me a Dollar for my trouble and I tarried at Capt Starkes 
over night and he would take nothing for my Entertainment and I Reed 
15V old Tenor from John Smith of Golfestown toward a Deed I got 
Recorded for him a good many years ago I came home and these 2 days I 
had my brors oxen near or about a day and a half helping to plow in the 
field before the house for to sow Rie on 

OCTOBER FIRST 

Mr Houston absent from Bedford 

2*1 I drawed a Compt and "Wart for old John McLaughlin against his 
sou in Law W" McDool charged 3/6 La : Mo : unpd and I borrowed 3-15-8 
La : Mo : of the towns money from the selectmen which with what I owed 
the town before came to 9 La : Mo : and I pd Col Goffe 3-6-0 La : Mo : 
toward the Govr Meadow lott no 70 and I owe him 2 Dollars toward it yet 
for which I gave him a note on Demand and I got the Deed of it from 
him which had been lodged in his hands for me and Tho« English cleared 
for me 

3<i I went -with Tho« English and Run Round the lott that he bot from 
John Barnett and I measiu-ed Round a peice of swamp he Cleared for Hugh 
Morrial and finished about sunset Morrial is to pay for measuring the 
swamp which cost about an horn* and half 

4"^ John McLaughlin and William Madole came to my house in the 
morning and I spent untill near noon with them on their Difference I ^vrit 
Ai'ticles to submit their affair to arbitration and I gave John McLaughlin 
a Summons and in the afternoon I went to Mr Stevens in Goffes town to 
see a pan- of Oxen but he was not at home and Betty McFarland came to 
see us 

5"! I bargained with Benj Stevens of Goffestown for a pair of Oxen for 
26 Dollars and he is to bring them to me tomorrow and I writ a deed from 
Major Whites sons in law to james Gillmor of Merrymac of the meadow 
lott no one in the Great meadow in Bedford 

6"' Benj Stevens brot the oxen I bot from him yesterday and he aud I 
went to Col Goffes and the price offset on the Execution I have on the Col 
and he alowed the price to Stevens on what Stevens owed him and james 
Gillmor quited his bargain of the meadow to Lieut Moor and I writ a deed 
to Lieut Moor of it and No 49 a meadow lott and they (viz) Major Whites 
sons in Law pd me 2 Shillings La : Mo : for the 2 deeds 

7"' we began to Gather a little of our corn and Repaired our tyup and in 
the afternoon I went to Tho^ Newmans to arbitrate al^ng with Capt John 
Moor and David Sparrit between Capt Nathaniel Martain and Lieut 
Daniell Macneill about a lott of land biit could nqt agi-ee them 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 233 

8"> Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

9*'^ I went to Lieut Daniell Moors mill and I got no meal they were pick- 
ing the mill I took 1 ^^ bushell of Indian corn of our own 

10"' I went to mill again and took l^s bushell of Rie and got it and the 
corn I took yesterday Ground and lost my jack kuif 

11"' I went to mill again and took l^o bushell of Indian corn with me 
and alhnost a bushell of Rie and got them ground and lookt for my knif 
but did not find it and on the 9th I cutt up the Indian hemp in the Little 
meadow 

12"' Joseph Kennedy came about 9 or ten o Clock and I workt with him 
from that time till night at plane stocks 

13"' I workt at plane stocks along with and for Joseph Kennedy untill 
about the middle of the afternoon and we finished a plow and a Habit and 
a large O : G : and he got a back O : G : with a beed from one of my own 
which was New both Wood and Iron and we put what Apples we had in 
with my brors Sam^i to make Cydar we had what made a large Cake in 
the Chees the boys ground them and helpt build the Chees 

14"! we got a load of Wood and Diged potatoes the Remainder of the day 
15"' Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

IG"' Was a small shower and then it thundered and Rained a considera- 
ble of a shower and the wind got into the N : W : and blowed very hard 
and exceeding Cold and in the Evening I Drawed a Compt and Wart from 
David MacNight against George Hogg for which he paid me 25/3 Bay old 
Tenor 

17"' I went to Samuell Pattersons to try to get him to come and make 
shoes for our boys but could not prevail and in the afternoon I found a 
Swarm of bees in a hemlock tree that the wind had blown down on the 
causeway east of Arrowins it is a young ^warm and I cut the peice off that 
they were in 

18"' John and I went with the Oxen and we got a Crotched Stick and 
layed the loggs the bees were in on it and hailed it home and Sett it up 
and we got in the last of our Corn 

19"' I went to Lieut Moors Mill and I got between 3 & 4 bushell of 
Corn Ground and I got my jacknif at Lieut Moors from sarah Riddle that 
I lost on the 10th Instant George Hogg f ovmd it 

20"' last evening and this morning lookt very much like snow and very 
cold in the forenoon it began to Rain and continued and the Night follow- 
ing was a considerable Rain 

21"'- was an Exceeding Warm pleasant Day and we Diged potatoes 
23=^ We finished Diging our potatoes I suppos we have 200 bushell and 
on last Saterday we took notice that there was none of our bees to be seen 
or heard and on Examining we fou.nd the Comb broke all down and the 
bees almost all Dead by what means it was broke down we know not but 
I conjecture somebody had broke the Comb down with a Stick to do me a 
Damage they had not above a pound of Honey 

24"' I went to janies Caldwells and I Run a peice of the line between 
liini and Tho" Wallace and I WTit a Lease from him to Andrew Beard of 
John Caldwell Mcneills place in Newboston for which I reed 3 peistereens 



234 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

25"i James Pattersous brot us S,' £ of Tea a poiiud of powder 2 £ Loaf 
Sliugar a pair of Wool Cards aud a paper of luk Powder from Boston for 
which I sent 3-10-0 Bay old Tenor and I got a Quart of Rum from Mary 
Riddell on Credit and I swore james Cowan to five accts and writ the five 
severall Captions charged 5V La : Mo : unpaid 

2&^ I went to Lieut Moors Mill and got above a bushell of corn ground 
and we took notice of a BLAZEING STAR in the west about an hour 
high at daylight down 

27"^ I cutt wood and Bob brot the Cart and we got home two loads 

28'!^ the boys cut and carted home 3 load of wood and I workt at the bot- 
tom peice of a leath (?) for the loom 

30"! I finished the leath for a loom and I butchered a Ewe that weighed 
4330 £ and Mr William Goffe came in the forenoon to make shoes at oiu- 
house 

31^' I went to Londonderry to Rob' Faii-service to Run lines for him aud 
lodged there over night 

NOA^EMBER FIRST 

I came home and I bot an Ivory Comb at jas MacGregores and pd a peis- 
tereen and a half for it and ig an Oz suutf 3/ old Ten' for it and 4 Aull 
Blades 4/ O : T : and lig yd of Tommy at Pinkertons and paid 2 Pister- 
eens a yd for it aud 2 yds of Wire 2 shillings and Fairservice pd me a Dol- 
lar and a half for my service and Mr Heper came to make up Cloaths for us 

2*1 I sowed 5 bushell and about a peck of Rie in the field before the house 

3<i John went to Lieut Moors Mill and got 3 bushell of Inidian Corn 
Ground 

4"i I gave Ebenz'^ Wood of Goftes town a Wart against Simeon Tiittle 
for a breach of the peace came to 3/3 Lawful unpaid and we took up our 
Turnips in the old Cow yard we had 15 basketfulls of them the basket 
holds a bushell and half 

0"^ I went and Divided the 3d Division of Savages Right for Lieut John 
Moor and John Aiken unpaid and Mr Goif e and Mr Heper came back to 
work 

7^^ I workd at a tub and lasts 

8"^ nothing of bussiness 

S*'^ I went to John Pinkertons in Lo : Derry and bot 5}^ Dozn of Duble 
polished Coat bottous and 2 Dozn of jackcoats do and 1 dozen of Alls and 
9 Needles for which I pd 8-11-0 old Tenor aud 4 of the alls IVIi- Goffe had 

10"' Mr Goffe finished makeing Shoes at this time he has made Nine 
paii-s in all and soled a pair for me he made a pair for each of the family 
except my wife and Susey and I butchered one of our Sows that weighed 
124 £ 

1 1"> I worked some at the tub that I had begun 

13"' And Bob went to Lieut Moors mill wdth 3 bushell of corn and jamey 
and I work at the porch of the Cellar and John Tkrashed Rie 

14*'' Mr Hepi^er went this morning to Mr Caldwells and I ^yTit a Deed 
from John Aiken to John and Habijah Savage and another from John Bar- 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 235 

net to Tho^ English and I went to Mary Riddells and gave English his 
deed unpd and I took the acknowledgement of Aikens and he paid me 4 a 
pisteeren peace of Silver for the Deed and Acknowledgement and for half 
of the Dividing the 3d division no 15 on the 6th Instant 

15"^ Mr Hepper Mended my Leather britches and finished for this time 
he came here the 1st Instant and has been here since exceept one day which 
is 12 working days and 1 Samuell Hazeltou of Hollis came and paid me 
5-7-8-1 La : Mo : on Lieut browns acct being what he owed me 

16"^ I sent 10-13-0 Bay old Tenor by Mr Haselton to Mr Amos Fisk being 
what I owed him before and 1-17-0 Bay old Tenor toward the Tanning an 
ox hide that I put in last spring to him to tann and my Wife and Susey 
and John and I Went to Joseph Scobeys to his Daughter Anns wedding 
which was a very large Company I suppos near 100 persons 

17"' I gave Jonathan Blan chard an . pound four and ten pence 

Lawfull to be paid in Febry next which he paid me and intrest in janry 
1766 on Eben'^ Far leys acct and I went to Lieut Moors Mill and got 3 
bushell of Rie ground 

18'!' I went and hauld home a load of hay with my own Oxen from the 
Meadow out of the Stack on the East side of the brook bed the first I hauld 
this year 

20*'^ I hauld another load of hay and we T\vitched home some wood in 
the afternoon and Rained considerable in the afternoon 

2^' it Rained alhnost all day and last night throughout it has Rained 
agreat deal since it began yesterday and I finished makeiug the Tub for 
dieing in 

22^1 we all hands banked at our outside Cellar and did it off and and put 
two logs more on the sides of the porch 

231 t;vAS the GENERAL THANKSGIVEING and my wife went 
Litchfield to William Pattersons to pay him some money I owe him 

24'h my ^\^^fe paid William Patterson 19 £ Bay old Tenor which I owed 
him for 20 bushell of corn that he bot for me of John Parker last year he 
would take no Intrest for the money and his pains and the boys got wood 

25*'^ my wife came home and John and jamey and I went to the Meadow 
and John went to Lieut Moors Mill and got 3 bushell of Rie ground and 
we cleared a new path into the Disput lott and we brot home a load of hay 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 25th 1769 

27"' it began to Snow a little after daylight and snowed all day it fell 
about 8 or 9 inches deep the wind at N: E: 

28*'' A Very cold day and the wind at N: W: and the night following 
Extreemely cold 

2gth Thg gu^ji shone very clear and warm but the night following very 
cold and I Hewed Slats and a Spier for a Sled 

30'h I went to Deacon Walkers to speak to him about his going to Ports- 
mouth an E\idence for my bror and from there to Deacon Boies to speak for 
his horse for jamey Vose to ride on to Portsmouth an Evidence also 



236 MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIARY. 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I and John got a stick to Goffes mill to make Sled sides and I let Mr 
James Caldwell have a Coppy of the transcript of the highway by his house 
to send to the sessions to be presented and Writ a letter for him to Mr 
Livermore on the acct 

2'' I gave my bror 6 Dollars to help in his case with Mr Houston and 
went to Tho^ Boies and he 'lent my bror 4 which I brot to him and John 
went to Major Goffes Mill and brot away the Sled sides that he sawed out 
of the stick he took to the Mill yesterday being 2 pair 

4*1' I was much out of case the latter part of the day and evening and 
John Taggart of Goffestown came and paid me a Dollar for the complaint 
and Warrant I drawed for him against Simeon Tiittle on the 4th of Novem- 
ber last and there is 5 pence La: Mo: comeing to me yet on the acct of sd 
Compt & Wart and My bror set out for Portsmouth with his witnesses 

5th I -^yent to Mary Riddells and called a Court between John Maclaugh- 
lin and his son in law William McDole and Adjourned the Case at the 
Desire of John Maclaughliu to the second Tuesday of March Next after 
they left their affiars to Richard MacAllesterand Tho'* Boies and Swore to 
abide their judgement and the arbitrators swore to do impartialy between 
them according to the light that appeared to them 

6^^ I worked at the sled 

7"^ Att the same Employ and at Evening my bror came home and in- 
formed us that his case ^vith Mr Houston Quashed on accot of the judge- 
ment of the justice 

8'^ I put my Sled together and went and brot a jag of hay 

S"> I brot the last of the stack on the East side of the brook and made 
up my load out of the Stack in the Dispute lott 

1 1"! I went to Merr J^nac to run lines for Jonathan Blanchard 

13*'^ It misted and we could not Run and I came home and I drawed a 
Writ against Eben"^ Farley for my o^^m Debt 

13"^ I went and Run lines for Blanchard again and the wether was very 
cold and windy and we left off by the middle of tlie afternoon I charged 
him 3 Dollars and he paid me one and the other is alowed on the note I 
gave him last Novembr and the Remainder of the Note I am to pay to 
Tho^ McLaughlin 

14"i I had Jonathan Blanchard sorrl mare and went to Hollis and got a 
Constable to serve my writ on Farley the constable was Samuell Cumings 
juur he alowed me the traviling fees and I paid him the service and came 
home in the Evening and John Gillnior sharped the Coarks of my Horses 
shoes and Set all four of them 

lo'h & 16''! I hauld a load of hay each day and John got 4 bushell of corn 
from Col Goffe and got 2 of it groiiud 

1S"> I hauld a load of hay and then butchered a sow that weighed 130 
pounds and John hauld another load in the afternoon and I went to Mary 
Riddells to John McLaughlins and William McDoels arbitration and swore 
them to their Accts and charged 3/ La: Mo: unpaid and got home at about 
1 1 o Clock at night 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 237 

19"' I went to Widow Godfreys according to appoiiitnieut and Arbitrated 
with Col Gott'e and Ensu McCurdy between the guardians of Tho** Halls 
Estate and Molly Martaiu and finished about two of the Clock in the 
morning Lieut Hall fell from the award and Capt Karr for Molly and Hall 
agi'eed to pay the costs between them which Karr paid the half for Molly 
but Hall paid none 

20"' I came home about 2 o Clock afternoon was a good deal out of Case 

21"' I brot 2 load of hay from the Meadow and Mr James Caldwell Gave 
me 14 Candles they were were smal in size 

22'' I brot home one load of hay which finished all but a Cock or two 
that I left for John Gordon I have my barn full of hay and sheep house 
and under the back scaffold in the floor 

23'^ we got some wood and pine 

25"' I attended at Col Goffes on the case I sued Eben'" Farley but he did 
not appear and was Defaulted I Recovered 1-9-7-3 Damage & cost the cost 
was 13/11 and I writ a Deed of the place Patterson lives on to james Mar-, 
tin 

26"^ Martin came and got the Deed and paid me for it and we butchered 
our two Barrows one weighed 1 58 fa pounds and the other weighed 54)^ 
pounds 

27"' I cut up our barrows and the boys cleaned up 3 bushell of Rie 

28"' I got a Gallon of Molasses from Gan Riddell on Credit and jamey 
got the 3 bushell of Rie that was cleaned up ground at Lieut Moors Mill 
and John and Bob got two loads of wood and we borrowed a peck of Salt 
from my bror Sanii^ 

29"' I shaved some hooks and Set some on a barrel and a tub 

30"' I got two bushell of Indian coin from Col Goffe and had it ground 
at his Mill very windy and cold 

31"' Sabathday cold and wind the forepart of the day The year ends 

JANUARY 1770 

Monday begins the year the morning and forepart of the day very cold 
the after part more moderate the evening it began to Rain the wind at 
East and got from there to the South and thawed a good deal by morning 
and we got wood 

2"' The wind at South and thawed all day I mended the moiith of our 
Oven the boys cut wood at the Door 

3'' The boys cutt down the young pine on broken up Ground it froze the 
last night and is now very slipery 

4"' I worked some at a little tub and Cleared some \vith the boys above 
the broke up Ground 

5"' I attended the funeral of james Yoses youngest Child who Died the 
3d Instant very suddenly 

6"' I finished the Tub and writ some for Tho" Murdough 

8"' Sam'^ Vose Sam^^ Moor Will'" Moor Lieut John Moors sons james 
Gilimoor Ensn McLaughlin and Francis Barnetts man and Sam" Gott'e my 
bror Sam" and I and my three boys cleared the Grave yard and burned 
the brush and Capt Barron sent John Vickery and jonas Cutting as we 



238 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

liad doue and they stayed aud mended up the fires and I went to james 
Caldwells and borrowed a Tea cup full of Tea and they gave me I suppose 
1}4 & of Butter and a peice of Cod fish my wife was very much out of 
■Case suice Sabath day in the afternoon 

9"! I attended the funeral of Martha Taggart daughter of Patrick Tag- 
gart deed 

10*^ I had John Gordon aud james Mathies two sons Robert and Hugh 
helping me aud I and the boys all cleared at the Little meadow we cut 
down the most of the stuff on the upland on the north side of the path as 
we go into the meadow on the East side 

nth I vs^ent to Joseph Farmers and Alexanders to try to buy some Corn 
"but Farmers was all promised and Alexander wood not take 2 pistereens 
a bushell and I got none and came home by Lieut Caldwells and Moors 
and the boys thrashed at the Rie and did overings about the house 

12''i I cleaned up a little more than two bushell of Rie and got two 
bushel of it ground at Lieiit Moors Mill and the boys thrashed some more 
and it began to Snow a little while before night and fell near 8 inches by 
next morning 

13*'^ I got about seven Jills of Rum from Sam^^ Vose and 5 shillings Bay 
old Tenor toward what I paid for him at John McClenches when we went 
to Run the line between Bedford and Amherst 3 or 4 year ago and I bor- 
rowed 3 fulls of Mr*' Voses thimble of heripeikery from her 

15"» I got 2 bushell of Indian Corn and 2 of Rie from Major Goffe and 
I paid him for the Corn aud one bushell of the Rie and the other I owe 
him for 

Ifi'h I got the Grain I had from Major Goffe gi-ound at Lieut Moors Mill 

17th y^Q hauled out 3 oak logs and got some wood 

18* Anna McFarlaud came to our house in the Evening John went for 
her and we got out 2 pine logs 

19"^ Mr Fiske brot me a Side of sole leather that weighed 13 pound and 
I sent 4 Sheep skins and a Veal skin with him he is to take a Side of my 
Sole leather at his house and weigh it and we are to Settle the affaii- about 
it afterward 

20*'^ we hauled out two logs and brot home a load or two of Wood 

22<i I attended a town Meeting about Piscataquog bridge and before I 
went to the Meeting I cut the ankle of my left foot on the outside 

23'i my brors boys helpt me more than half the day to Draw logs we 
took 3 to the mill and I hewed a bunk and a Slat for my brors loging Sled 
it snowed about an inch today. 

24«> it fell 3 or 4 inches of Snow last Night and Snowed some all day 
and I finished makeing the Bunks and Slats for my brors sled 

251'' I Recorded the Wart and Votes of the meeting held the 22d Instant 
and I went to Mary Riddells in the evening to talk with her about take- 
ing her examination of Bastardy but did not do it and I filled a blank 
deed for Gan Riddell to John Bell of Bells place and took the acknowl- 
edgement unpd 

26 & 27"^ we cutt aud hauled some logs and some Wood 

29"^ I went to Goffestown at Lieiit Littles desu-e to assist him in his 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 239 

case agaiust Sam" Richards before Esqr Blodget at the court held at Capt 
Kari-s the court sit till about 8 o Clock at uight aud then the justice 
adjourned of his own motion till the 22d of next march aud I came to 
Lieut Little and got a bushell of Flaxseed that James Vose spoke for me 
last faul 

30^'' I worked at makeiug a head for my Surveying Staves 

31*^' was not able to do anything with my ancle it was so lame "" 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

was to have gone and took a plan of Daniel McNealls & Tho^ Russes 
Controversie pr order of the Inferioui- Court (which order Capt Stark gave 
me at Capt Karrs on last Monday) but was not able to go and I sent John 
up to Godfreys in the morning to send word to the parties and chainnien 
not to wait on my comeing nor was not able to Stir to do any business 
today 

2d 3d 4th 5th gth lay by and could not move with my Ancle the boys got 
some wood 

7"^ I helped to bring home 2 load of wood and hauled out 2 logs 

8"^ was not able to do anything today I was so lame and Hannah McFar- 
land went home she has been here 3 weeks lacking one day 

9''^ It began to snow in the morning the wind (any that was) North 
easterly on the 5th I took the acknowledgements of 2 Deeds from Capt 
Allds on to Tho'* Murdough and the other to Sani^i Moor Lieut John Moors 
son which Deeds I had -writ some time ago Deeds and Acknowledgements 
unpaid 

10* I sent John to Col Lutwyches With a letter concerning some money 
I owe him aud a line to Lieut Caldwell and another to Capt Parkers 
Widow for money they owe me 

12"^ I sent John to Caldwells to Receive 3 Dollars and to dun for some 
from Widow Taylor of Merrimac and carrrie it to Col Lutwyches I con- 
tinued unable to travil my ancle is so lame the other boys cut some wood 
aud got home 2 load he got but 2 Dollars from Caldwell and got none from 
Widow Taylor he waited at Col LiitAvyches till toward bedtime but he 
was not come home and his mother would not Receive the money and he 
came to Gibsons in Litchfield and lodged there 

13''^ John came home in the morning and gave me the two Dollars he 
got from Caldwell yesterday Tho'' Boies brot me a Dollar and a thu'd from 
the Province Treasurer for my attendance at the Sessions in June & Septr 
last and I gave William Holms a Summons for William Baruett & 
Jonathan Currier in his case with Arrowin charged 1 shilling unpd 

14"^ a Rainey day the boys Thrashed 

lo'h a thawy day and a most of the snow went off 

16*i' the boys cleaned up 4 bushell of Rie and it began to Snow the wind 
at N : W : toward night and fell 3 or 4 inches deep 

17"^ I sent John to Col Lut^\"yches to pay him some money but he was 
not come home and he got two bushell of Beans from Timothy Taylors 
Widow at 4/s Lawf ull money pr bushell which pd for a day I Run lines 
for her husband the 18th of June 1764 and for the 3d of a day I run lines 



240 MATTHEW PATTE^"'S DIARY. 

for her ou tlie 20th of June 1768 and he got I'^o bushell of the Rie gronud 
he cleaned yesterday at Lieut Moors Mill and I gave William Arrowin 
a Summons in his case with William Holms 

19"^ I gave David Moor a Summons in his case with John Liveingstoue 
and he gave me a pistereen and it Rained hard a considerable part of the 
day and in the Evening the wind checked into the N : W : and blowed 
■very hard all night and as soon as the wind tiu-ned it cleared imediatly 

20*'^ the Avind extreamly high all day John & james fell pines on the 
land we have been a Clearing above the Cow yards and joshua Tolford 
and William Morrow came to See us 

21«i John & james & I cleared at the little meadow the afternoon we 
cleared on the Governor lott in the S : W : Corner 

22'i According to appointment with Capt Stark on Monday last I went 
to Mr Russes to take a plan of his and Lieut McNeals Coutroversie but 
did not do it by Reason that Capt Stark and Mr Russ agreed to leave the 
affair to Col Joseph Frye and Col Sani'^ Barr and Esqr Holand and I 
tarried at Mr Russes over night 

23'i I AATit a power of Attorney for Mr Russ to his Son Simeon and took 
the acknowledgement and Swor him to an Acct for his son to Recover 
and charged him nothing and he charged me nothing for my Entertain- 
ment my horse was at Mrs Godfreys and I borrowed }.2 a hundi'ed of 
T : P : nails from Whitefield Gillmor and came home in the evening 

24"' it snowed so much that the whole on the Groimd is a foot or upward 

25"^ the wind very high all day 

26"' John took 3 logs to the Mill and Bob went to Lieut Moors Mill and 
got 1^2 bushell of Rie gi-oimd 

27"^ John took down 5 logs to the Mill and jamey and I cut one logg and 
some wood 

28"' my brors Sam" helped lis down with a large log and John took one 
for him and 3 for ourselves 

MARCH 

1^' Capt Barron & Sam" Vose and I met at Mr James Caldwells and 
Examined him and Joseph Scobey on their Constable and Collectorship 
and gave Mr Houston an order for this years sallery being 45-2-6-2 Law- 
full Money and Severall orders to Divers other persons and John took 7 
logs to the Mill 

2'i John took 5 oaks which finished what oak logs we had cut being 27 
oak logs in all at the Mill and he took one white pine and my brors 
Samuell took 2 other white pine to the mill and I fel two yelow pines for 
Masts by the graveyard 

3^1 John got 2^-2 bushell of Indian Corn from Zecheriah Chandler and he 
paid him a Dollar and he went to Lieut Moors Mill and from there to Col 
Lutwyches and pd him 2 Dollars toward my Note and came and lodged at 
Lieut Moors 

4"' he came home and brot l^n bushell With him 

5"' it began to Snow last Night and by this morning it was 9 inches 



MATTHEW TATTEX'SDIAIIY. 241 

deep & I gave George Hogg a Wart agaiust james Moor of Merryniac 
junior & took his Note for tlie pay of it 

6'^' I went to Meins and got >4 of Tea two pounds of sliugar and ^2 an 
ounce of Snuff and paid him 0-2-9-2 La : Mo : for them and the boys got 
wood 

7"^ 8*'^ & 9«> the boys and I Oiitt and drawed Pine Logs on the Sth I had 
Pattersons oxen to help to draw 2 logs 

10*'' my wife went to William Morrows 

12"' my Wife came home 

18*'' we took 3 logs to the mill 

14"' I laad Pattersons oxen to help to di-aw 2 logs 

15"' what logs we took to the Mill today make 30 pine logs and james 
Moor junior of Merrymac came and Paid me for the compt and Wart that 
I gave George Hogg agt him on the Sth Instant which came to 0-3-7-2 
and he gave me a Dollar and he is to get the change as soon as I can get 
the Dollar changed 

16"' I took 3 loggs to the mill and I settled with John Bell and our accts 
was so near that we throwed up and past Rects and I got 2i^ bushell of 
corn from Zachariah Chandler on Credit 

17"' I took 3 logs to the Mill 

19"' I took 3 logs to the Mill and I had james Pattersons oxen helping 
me with 2 of them 

20"' I took one log to the Mill and 3 as far as Pattersons and I had 
Wards oxen to help and Tho'^ Boies paid a fine of 5"/ La : Mo : for a breach 
.of the Sabath on the 18th Instant in takeing William Caldwell a prisoner 

21*'^ I took 7 logs to Pattersons with my oxen and horse which makes 
50 pine logs there is 40 at the mill and 10 at Pattersons in all I had 77 oak 
and pine this winter. 

22'' we hauled some bottom logs for fence alongside the road on this 
side holms bridge 

23'' I sold my shoes and ^vl•it a Deed from Capt Allds to Lieut Daniel 
Moor of part of the lott no 4 in the Great Meadow unpaid 

24"' my bror Sani'^ & John his Oxen and I and my John and bob and our 
Oxen and horse Hauled of a Quantity of plank at Goffes Mill and we 
hauled in 7 Oak logs of mine and 6 of my brors on the ways 

2{)"' I went along with my bror to Gearfields when he went to his trial 
on Mr Houstons 3d complaint and Col Lut^vyche would not try the Case 
we tarried over night Hugh Ramsey who was the officer would not return 
the Wart my bror offered his body for trial before Col Lutwyche twice 
but he would not try him they sent to Hollis and Amherst for a justice 
but could not get one 

27"' Ramsey put my bror under keepers about the middle of the day 
and he went to Amherst for Esqr Shepard and Returned near Sun Set 
without him and commanded new keepers over my bror to take him to 
Amherst by force which they did I lodged at Clenches and he at Capt 
Reads 

28"' we got before Squire Shepard in the forenoon and got the case con- 
tinued till the 10th of April for Council and pleas then to meet at Lieut 
16 



242 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Moors in Bedford at 10 o Clock forenoon and came to attend our aunnal 
meeting bnt they had chose the town officers and adjourned just before 
we got there I was chose Clerk and 3d selectman 

29th J -went to Mr Meins and Returned him the bouki'am I got of his at 
Esqr Hollands we used 1/2 yd of it and I returned him about 3 yds and I 
paid him for 1^ yd that we had used and for % of Tea and 2 £ of shugar 
and 2 Coppers worth of snuff I got now came in all to 40/s Bay old Tenor 
and I came to John Thomas and Joseph gave me a bushell of Rie for my 
Runing lines for him last summer and another bushell for lines that he 
wants Run which I am to do for it and I came to Joseph Scobeys and he 
let me have 2 bushell of corn on acct of what services I have done for him 
and I got the whole Ground at Lieut Moors Mill 

30'^^ Mr Hepper came here last monday and finished this day makeing 
Jonas Cuttings cloath he has been here now 5 days and he was here 12 days 
last Novbr at 12V Bay old Tenor pr day conies to 10-4-0 Bay old Tenor in 
all which I owe him 

3l5t ^TQ hauled in some logg (viz) oaks and a White pine for plank 
and what plank were sawed to the River 

APRIL 2 

I attended our Annual meeting by adjournment 

3*1 I went to Joseph Scobeys by appointment of his and his Wife to try 
to bring about an Acconunodation between him and his son and Spent the 
day on it 

4*1' I went to james Voses and ■\\Tit a Deed from him to josiah Wood of 
his land in Mistick farm & intend to give it to Vose and I took the ac- 
knowledgement for which he wood paid me a shilling La : Mo : 

S'l' WAS THE PROVINCE FAST 

6"' I had the the shoes on my horses fore feet and one of them stelled at 
the toes at John Gillmors shop by John Jameson and in the afternoon and 
Evening Capt Barron and I met at Tho* McLaughlins & di-awed the Warts 
for the sm-veyors of highways exceept John Aiken 

7*1' I Run the line for Richard Ward between a lot of Chandlers heirs 
and Mr Houston and was more than % the day I charged % a Dollar unpd 

9th I "vvent to Gearfields to take Depositions for him and Capt Kelley 
who was to be one of them did not come and Gearfield went after him and 
I tarried over night waiting for him 

10*'' I came to Lieut Daniel Moors to the trial between Mr Houston and 
my bror Mr Houston Dropt that Wart and had a new Wart ready and 
they had a trial before Esqr Shepard and he gave Judgement agt my 
brother and he appealed 

11*'' I went with John Dow of Atkinson to his sons Jobs in Goffes town 
to Divide off 80 acre out of the lott that Job lives on for Job but did not 
finish and I charged him a Dollar and he gave me 3 pistereens toward it 
and the other 2 he owes me 

12"' I took Capt Kelleys Deposition for Nathaniel Gearfield unpaid at 
my house and John Parker the adverse party came in aboiit one fourth of 
an hour after Gearfield and Kelley went away and I had to give Parker a 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 243 

Writing concerning my giveing Gearfleld a Notification and wliat Gear- 
field told me of his Notifieiug Parker And I went to Widow Godfreys to 
help to Divide the Estate of to the Widow and the heirs 

13"' On the same business and came home in the Evening and I charged 
2 Dollars unpaid 

14"' I went along with Whitefield Gillmor to Run the lines of a lott of 
Col Goffes that he might see if he liked it to buy it but he did not and 
then I Run the line of a lott of Robert Neasmiths for him but he did not 
like that I charged a Dollar to be discounted on a Note of a Dollar and % 
that he has agt me 

Kjth I -vvent with Tho" Murdough and Run the lines at the 2d Di\dsion 
he had from Col Goffe and diawed a plan of it I charged 5"/ La^\'f ul 
money unpd 

17"^ I planed the work that I did for John Dow on the 11th Instant and 
Siissanna brot me half a bushell of salt from Sam^^ McFarland and jean 
McFarlaiid came to oiu- House to Spin 

18"^ I went to jos Scobeys to Di\'ide the Estate between him and his son 
and I -writ a Deed from Robert Neasmith to Whitefield Gillmor I charged 
2/ Lawful each to pay one shilling I lodged at Scobeys 

19*^ I Run lines for Robert Neasmith the forenoon and I charged him 
4V for the Deed yesterday and what I did for him today and I owed 2/7 
X and he paid me >^ ,\' in cash and the afternoon I assisted Scobey and 
his son I charged them 3/ La : 

20*^ Lieut Daniel Moor had 1580 feet of White oak plank from me and 
Major Goffe let nie have 130 feet more than he owed him which Goffe 
alowed me to have and Goffe had about 1000 feet of board that was sawed 
out of my loggs and feet of White oak plank and a stock of white pine 
Decking plank of my loggs and we are to settle afterward and jamey and 
I went with the oxen and horse and helped Lieut Moor do\^ai the bank 
with the plank 

31^' I sowed almost 2 bushell of Rie in the field before the house and 
spent an hour or two with old Mr Turrill looking over the proprs Records 

23'^ William Kennedy came to our house to make shoes and I sent bob 
to Tho* Miu-doiighs and got a bushell of spring Rie for me to sow 

34th I "Vendued John Gordons place and sold it to one Nathaniel Clark 
(of Londonderry a Weaver) for 32 : 9 : LawfuU Money and Writ the deed 
and note and Clark paid me for the acknowledgement and Gordons is to 
be settled afterward 

25"' I borrowed a pistereen from John and half a pistereen from jamey 
and half a pistereen from bob and 2 coppers and I took 2 bushell of rie of 
my own to Lieut Moors mill and went to Rob' Alexanders and he let me 
have 2 bushell of corn and would not take any pay for it on acct of being 
his freind on Turrills affair about land and I got a Dozn of fish hooks and 
an oz of Snuff and 10 oz of tobacca and a Quire of paper from Rob' Meins 
for all which I paid him 17/ Bay old Tenor and I got 2 bushell of corn 
gi-ound at the Mill 

26"' I Writ a Deed of John Moor juniors place to Robert Addams of Not- 
tingham West and Addams paid me a shilling Lawful for the Note and 



244 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

acknowledgement and I went to janies Caldwells and took a peck of flax- 
seed with me and Sowed in his orchard for susey 

27*'^ jean McFarland went home after Dinner she has been here 9 work- 
ing days inchiding the day she came and the day she went away and I let 
her have a pan- of shoes and I sowed almost 4 bnshell of Rie 

28*^ I went to Run lines for jamey Vose but he was from home and I 
did not run On the acct I was much out of Case and I sowed near half a 
bushell of rie which makes 6 bushell and almost a half I have sowed now 

29*^1 Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

30th J took the Invoice of all west in my district except Clan Riddells 

MAY FIRST 

I Run lines for Samuell Turrill I charged 5/ Lawful unpaid & Han- 
nah McFarland came to our house 

2'i I made 4 single pullys for to weave oiir fustine and Hannah McFar- 
land and susey put it in the loom 

S"! Hannah McFarland went home in the morning and I went and Run 
lines about Sami^ Vose and janies Yoses for them to see to Rewuill them 
but could not I went at james Desire and I intend to give him my servic 
toward paying him for the trouble he has in being an Evidence for my 
bror in his Case and Mr Houstons 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MAY 3d 1770 

A^^ I sowed about ^4 bushell of flaxseed above the Barn 

5th I i^srrit 2 Deeds one from Sam^i Turril to his son Sam" and another 
from John Aiken to John Savage and others the last deed is paid for by 
Lieut John Moor by ^o a bushell of Rie on the 12th of last Apr and in the 
afternoon I went and got some oylnut bark on the Island 

6"i Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

7th "William Kennedy came to us to make Shoes he went home saterday 
night was sevennigh and has not been here since till today last night was 
a prety Rain 

8"^ it Raind last niht and a while this morning I spent the day a fishing 
and I catched 19 chubs and 11 pickerill and a perch and the boys planted 
potatoes yesterday and today 

9"! I set out for Monson to Run lines for Mr james Gordon of Boston 
and took Tho^ Mvirdough with me according to Instructions and lodged at 
Mr John Burns in Monson and found Col John Tyng and Col Lovewell and 
Mr Tylor of Boston Esqr Shepard and Sam'i Cumings Junr and Divers 
others 

10^'^ a Rainey day and we could not do any Runing of lines and after 
we had waited till about the middle of the day we all unanimously agreed 
to adjoiu-n till the 22d Instant to meet the night before att the place and I 
wrote Ovid a letter acquainting him of the agreement and desireing his 
attendance then and to get me word if he would have Come to come there 
then and I sent it by Col Lovewell and I lodged at Mr Burns this night 
also 

11*'! I set out in the morning and went to Hollis and got the side of my 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 245 

Sole leather from Mr Fisk and got Eusu Benj Parker to promis to pay Mr 
Fisk 25/ Bay old Tenor that he owes me and the other side of my leather 
that Fisk had in leiw of that I had from him last Winter weighed he says 
13 £ and that I had from him weighed IS^o £ 

12"^ I went to Rob* Alexanders and got 2 bushell of Rie from Meius and 
paid him 102-10-3 Bay old Tenor for it and 2 coppers worth of Snuff and % 
£ of Tobacca and 11 rows of pins and paid him 5/ 10 Bay old Tenor for 
them and brot the Rie to Lieiit Caldwells Mill and got it ground and had 
the Toal to be settled for on acct of the hay he had from me Winter was a 
year 

13"^ sabathday I went and met the Corps of Alexander Orrs wife at the 
little meadow 

14*'^ the boys and I layd up part of the log fence and james Cowen paid 
me 19/s Bay old Tenor towards what he owes me 

15"^ we finished laying up the log fence a While before night I went to 
Col Goffes to a Meeting of the proprs of Dartmouth and got home I suppos 
afer midnight and I gave Capt Barron 2 bushell of potatoes 

16*'^ I had my brors 4 Oxeu helping me to break up north west from the 
Barn 

17"^ I had my brors 4 Oxeu and Wards oxen helping me break up and we 
were hindered both yesterday afternoon and today with the plow giveing 
away and Richard Ward got 2 bushell of potatoes 

18"^ 1 went and bot 2 bushells of Rie from Lieut John Moor and paid him 
6/8 La^vful Money for it but could not take it away and Zachariah Chand- 
ler got 2 bushell of potatoes he got 2 bushell of potatoes a few days ago 
which makes foiu* bushell in all 

19"^ I had Tho" McLaughlins oxen and my brors 4 oxen helping me to 
break up and we broke a peice of the point of the Colter and I set the boys 
to Harrowing and I went and got the 2 bushell of Rie from Lieut John 
Moor that I bot yesterday 

21 St I got the colter mended with John Gillmor and I began to new build 
my brors plow and the boys fiirrowed our old land 

22'! I finished the plow and I had my brors Oxen & Mr Wards the after- 
noon and we finished breaking up 

23'^ we began to plant our corn and I had my brors Oxen and Tho'* Mc- 
Laughlins harrow and we harrowed what we broke up yesterday 

24th my -brors John and jos helped me to plant & I went to Amoskieg 
and got 13 shad and 15 elwives at our new setting place and sent them 
home by my bror and lodged at Mr Russes at free Cost 

25*1^ I fished at our new Setting place and got 20 Shad and 64 elwives 
and John came up with the horse and took them home and I came home 
that Evening and the boys finished planting in the forenoon and my brors 
John helped my boys to finish planting & I Reed a Dollar from Ezekial 
Stevens on John Darlings acct 

26*11 I went to the falls and got 2 shad and 13 elwives 

28*'> I went to Rob* Alexanders and got 4 bushell of Rie from him and 
paid him a Dollar of it and I owe him 2-15-0 Bay old Tenor for the rest of 
the price of it and I took it to Lieut Moors mill and got it Ground and I 



246 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

had the toll of it from him for pay and I borrowed 43 threads of Twiue 
from my bror Sam"« Wife 

29th William Kennedy came to our house again to make Shoes and the 
forenoon I knit a new bottom to the Net I had of John Clogston last Sat- 
erday and I went to the falls and Hung the net that I tited up today 

30*^ I got 12 Shad and John came up in the afternoon and he got 4 or 5 
and I went to Russes along with Capt Stark and Lieut McNeal about then- 
Controversie and went home with Stark and lodged there 

31*' John got 11 Shad and I came to Samuel Voses pr his desire Signified 
by his Wife and assisted Col Goffe in takeing Deacon Walkers Deposition 
in perpetuam and got home at one or two of the Clock in the morning 

JUNE FIRST 

John fished at the new setting place and got 9 shad and I went up about 
the middle of the day and fished on the Island and got 5 Shad we have got 
42 shad this Week and Susanna had Mr Wards Mare to take her as far as 
Col Todds in Londonderry on her way to Chester to See her freinds 

2'^ John Gillmoor Made a New Shoe of my brors Iron and Set it and 
moved the shoe on my horses fore feet and the afternoon Capt Barron 
Tho** McLaughlin and I went about altering the Road between jas 
Caldwells and Deacon Smith across the hill instead of going where it was 
laid Ai-ound by Caldwells N: W: Corner 

4"' I Avent to the falls about 10 or 11 o Clock and got 20 shad one Ell and 
a Dozen Elwives and james Vose had my horse to Portsmouth he is an 
Evidence for my brors Case with Mr. Houston and I settled with 
Whitefield Gillmor on my Note and I owe him yet of prinsaple and In- 
trest 1-17-7 Hampshire old Tenor 

5"^ I did no great of work I was very weary it Raind some and I took 
Capt Walker and my brors Invoice and I borrowed 54 threads of Tw^ine 
from my brors -wife that I owe her in all 97 threads wnth what I borrowed 
from her on the 38th of last may 

6"^ Capt Barron and Thomas McLaughlin and I made the Bridge Rate 
at Tho^ McLaughlins and John fished at Amoskieg and got 3 Shad and he 
sent them to Hugh McCalley and he brot home 8 Ells of that he got in 
this nights fishing 

7"^ I made a pair of heels for a pair of Cloath shoes for my wife and I 
made a last for Polly and another for jeaney 

gth "When we got up in the morning our belled Cow was Calved and had 
a heifer calf and about the middle of the day Deacon Walker came from 
Portsmouth who had been there as Evidence in the case between Mr Hous- 
ton and my bror and brot us the agi'eeable news that my bror had beat 
Mr Houston on the Merrits of the Case and james Vose came home about 
Dusk with my horse from Portsmouth and I A^rrit a Deed from Tho^ Karr 
to his son james and another Deed from Tho* Kennedy and some of his 
bror or to Sam^i Kennedy both unpaid This day was a considerable heavy 
Rain 

9"^ I went to Mrs Godfreys and I got 3 hoes from W" of Ainos Pages 
that he left there to be sold at half a Dollar each and W" Godfrey took 



MATTllEW patten's DIARY. 247 

Ezeldel Steveus payiiiaster for them who owes me three Dollars on John Darl- 
ings acct and I went to the setting place and got 3 shad one of which I 
gave to Mr Godfrey and the other two I brot home 

11"' I Coppyed of the Remainder of the bridge list and Wart and took it 
to the Collector and went to Joseph Scobeys and Run the lines of their 
Divisions so as to fitt for Drawing Quitclaim deed Between him and his 
son and tarried there all night 

12''' I ^\Tit the Deeds between them and they Signed them and I took 
the acknowledgements which took up the day till night and I came home 
by Lieut Daniell Moors I charged for my Service 9/ La: Mo: unpaid 

13"' I went to Litchfield and got 4 bushell of Rie from Sam'i Gibson on 
Credit and I brot it to Lieut Moors Mill and they Ground about half a 
bushell of it but it was so Damp that they shut down the mill and he prom- 
ised to Sun it tomorrow I owe Reads folks for my ferriage going and come- 
ing and I got 2 Coppers worth of Snuff from Meins and paid it 

14"' I hooped a pail and the boys Hoed at the corn 

15"' I went to the Falls and I catched 7 Shad and a 10 £ Salmon and I 
got 4 shad that John and I had lent Hugh McCalley and the boys Wed at 
the corn 

16"' I got a pig from Joseph Scobey of some age for which he charged a 
Dollar 

IT"' Mr Hoiiston was absent from Bedford he was to preach for Mr Par- 
sons of Newbury 

18"' My brors Sani'^ and I fished at the new setting place and we got 7 
shad and a Small Salmon and IS Ellwives and Lieut Daniel Moor sent me 
4 Dollars by his son toward the plank he had from me last spring and our 
Heifer Calved a bull Calf 

19"' I put a peice on the Stock of Esqr Underwoods Gun 

20"' I paid Hannah Murphy two Dollars for Mr Heppers letter toward 
what I owe him and Susanna came home from Chester and the afternoon 
I and the boys went to the Raising of Piscataquog bridge and I went to 
the falls a httle before night and I catched 3 Shad an ellwive and an Ell at 
Evening there was six men throwed off the bridge and 3 of them very 
much hurt (viz) W" Holms W'" Macdugall and Joseph Moors 

21" I ^vrit a Deed from Capt AUd to Lieut Daniel Moor in the Room of 
one I ^vrit some time ago which I had writ a Warrantee and had to writ 
a Quitclaim today and he pd me 2/ for it and a Deed I writ from him 
to Sam" Moor and I took the acknowledgement for Lieut Moor to pay and 
I writ a deed from John Vickere to his bror Moses and took the acknowl- 
edgement for which Moses is to pay me in grain 2V Lawful 

22'' I made a Coffin for the Corps of Joseph Moor who died last night he 
lived after he got his hurt about 30 hours 

23'' I attended Joseph Moors funeral and janiey got the last of the Meal 
of the Grain I had from Gibson and he got a bushell of Salt from Lieut 
Dan" Moor would be discounted in my Plank we had 

25"' I settled Avith W'" Goffe for what Shoes he he made for me last faul 
and I fell 2V Bay old Teu"^ in his debt and I Gave him 5"/ bay old Tenor 
what work he did for me came to 5-7-6 Bay old Tenor and I pd him a Dol- 



248 MATTHEAV PATTEX's DIARY. 

lar in inouey aud Vamps for a pair of shoes and seven La.sts came to 5-5-6 
bay old Ten"" and I made the hoops of 3 shiigar boxes and I got 3 quils 
for Esqr xinderwoods Giin from John Gilbiior and I finished Mending his 
Giinstock 

26*"^ I butchered our young Cows Calf it weighed 42}^ £ of Veal aud I 
went to Litchfield and paid Sam^^ Gibson 4-19-0 bay old Tenor toward the 
4 bushell of Rie I had from him the 13th Instant & I ow him one 
Shilling bay old Tenor of it yet and I got one bushell of Indian corn and a 
bushell of Rie from John Quig for which I am to go aud Run lines next 
monday or Tuesday for him and I got it Ground at Lieut Moors mill and 
I had the Toal 

27'^ Capt Barron and Eusn McLaughlin aud I met at my house and 
made at the Minister and Province Rates & I got a Gallon of Molasses from 
John Wallace on Credit 

28''^ the last years Select men went and Veiwed the bridge over Piscata- 
quog River the forenoon as a Committee and the afternoon "We met at my 
house and finished Makeing the Rates Aud I writ a Deed from John 
Aiken to james Lyon & took the acloiowledgement for which Aikeu paid 
me 2V La: Mo: and 3V Hamp' old Ten'' over that I could not make to give 
him the change 

29*'' I went out vnth John McCleary to fiud the lotts that a jDeice of land 
that he wanted lay in the 4th Rang west of the bogg for which he paid me 
5/6 Lawful Money down 

30*'' I finished Coppying the lists and Warts and I took them to the Con- 
stable 

JULY 2d 

I borrowed two dollars from Capt Barron and one from W" Caldwell to 
be paid in a week & I paid Hugh Ramsey one pound one shilling Lawful 
for his ser^dce last August in the case that Mr Houston prosecuted my 
wife 

3<i I went to Litchfield and Run the line between John Quigs and Gib- 
son's places and I went and lodged at William Pattersons 

4th -y^m Patterson had procured for me 2 bushell of Rie from one of the 
chases and he sent his son and got it and 6 bushell of Indian from Widow 
Parker & he borrowed 3 Dollars from Deacon Kenndell and let me have 
them and I paid her for the corn it was ^o a Dollar pr bushell and I got it 
up to Quigs and I Run on the line between Mr Cotton and Gibsons place 
and I brot home the 2 bushell of Rie and t^vo of Indian and left the other 
4 bushell of corn in Quigs 

5"' I suned the 2 bushell of Rie that I had from Chase yesterday and 
picket the durt out of it and it lacked 5% full of the beer quart of two 
bushell aud I got 4)4 £ of Potash from John Bell for which I am to give 
him 2X bushell of Ashes and james Martain Tho^ McLaughlin Majr 
Goffe and I agreed to fish in Equal partnership for Salmon and Martain 
and my brors boys got 3 Salmon and they sent me half of one that weighed 
6X £ INIartain and I fishes together on Mondays Wednesdays & Fridays 
for this season all to be at Equal cost cost of Nets &c 



ISIATTHEW patten's DIARY. 249 

^t'l Spent the most of the day with people that came to the house I put 
the bottom into two large shiigar boxes and got an Iron puding pan from 
John Gillmor that he had mended and fished and got 2 Salmon in the Nett 
and they broke through & got away and I got a quart of Rum from my 
bror on Jonathan Curriers acct pr his Verbal order 

7"^ I worked some at makeing a pail and had company that hindered 
me 

gth "vvas Mr Houstons Sacrament 

9"i James Martain and I got a Salmon that weighed 14}^ £ and we divided 
it in two and had half each of us and I went Litchfield to finish Runing 
the line between Mr Cottons and Gibsons place and did it accordingly and 
lodged at Quigs and jean Mcfarland came to Spin at our house 

10"^ I Run the headline of Gibsons place and fixed it N: E: Corner which 
was gone and got Mr Cotton to frame the substance of of a letter to Secretery 
Oliver on the afi'air of the preabulation of the lines of Gibsons place and 
come home and brot 4 bushell of Indian corn from Quigs being what his 
John brot from Widow Parkers for me last week and I bot 2 £ of tobacca 
from Meins and pd him i^' La: Mo: for it 

11"^ I ^vl•it a deed for George Cowen from Ephraim Cowen to Richard 
Hail unpaid and I workt at makeing pails 

12*1' I workt at makeing pails and I took the acknowledgement of a deed 
from Esquu-e Simpson to Samuell Gordon and Gordon paid me a Shilling 
Lawful for it 

13"^ I butchered our Heifers Calf it weighed 40% £ of Veal in the Even- 
ing I went to the Brook and there was seven Salmon at it and in i^utting 
out the Netts there was a Stick about the board that tangled it it when we 
got about f 3 part out and pestered us so that we Enclosed 3 and two of 
them broke out and we got one that weighed 7)^2 £ we waited and hauld 
after the moon Rise and got two 1 weighed 16J^ and the other 13?'4 and we 
divided & martain got 19 £ and 10/ ozs and I got 18 £ & 10/oz 

14th I -yyeut with the other Selectmen to lay out the highway from Mc- 
Clearys to the foot of the bogg but stoped at Giffins by Reason that Giflftn 
and Wylies would have it south of the Cow hill and we would not lay it 
there. 

16*'^ In the afternoon I attended a town Meeting and John Went for 
Chester and took 2 pails and a large shiigar box that I made and some 
dishes that he turnd for his aunt jean Tolford and I aclaiowledged the 
Deed that I \\Tit from John Aiken to the Savages that Lieut John Moor 
paid me for in Rie the 12th of last April and I got 6 £ of a 11 £ Salmon that 
Martain catched he got 2 and gave Goflfe and McLaughlin the other 

17"' I settled with Lieut Daniel Moor for the plank he had from me this 
spring being 1580 feet and a hundred feet that Major Gotfe let him have 
and allowed him to pay me (and we are to settle for them) and what owed 
him on book and what he paid me before this spring being 5 Dollars and 
24-16-6 Bay old Tenor he paid me this day paid off the whole of the plank 
& I paid William Caldwell the Dollar that I borrowed the 2d Instant 

18"' I and Elijah Colburn catched 2 Salmon that weighed 27 £ I had one 
that was 15 1., and Martain had the other that weighed 11 1., and I went to 



250 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Litchfield aud I paid Capt Barron 2 Dollars that I borrovv^ed from him tfie 
2d Instant aud I paid Rob' Alexander 2-15-3 being what I owed him to- 
ward 4 l)ushell of Rie I had from him the 28th of last April and I paid 
Deacon Keuudell 3 Dollars that William Patterson borrowed for to pay 
widow Parker for 6 bushell of Corn for me the 4th Instant and I left a 
Dollar and a pistereen with William Keundell for William Patterson to 
pay for 2 bnshell of Rie he got for me the 4tli Instant from one of the 
Chases and I got a bushell of Rie from John Quig and I got a bushell of 
Rie from Moses Vickere aud I paid 10/ Silver money and 15/ he owed me 
for writing & ackuowledgeiug a Deed the 21st of last June aud I had % £ 
of Indigo and % of Madder 2 £ of tobbaca and a Dozen of fish hook from 
Meins for which I paid him l-lS-2 Bay old Tenor and Martain & my boys 
got a Salmon in the Evening that weighed 18 £ 

19tii I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for Richard Hail from Cow- 
ens for which he paid me a Shilliug Lawful and afterward I went to 
Russes and Run lines for the Retferees in McNeals aud Russ coutroversie 
and was an Evidence in the case also charged a Dollar unpd 

20*'! I went to David Burns in Amherst aud paid Mary Burns for her 
sister Martha 4-4-0 Bay old Tenor for Marthas spiuing at our house faul 
was a year her wages come to 3-15-0 and I pd a pistereen for waiting and 
I got a quart of Rum from John Bell for which I paid him 5/ Bay old 
Tenor 

2P' I mended up my Rakes and planed off 5 new Rake handles 

28'^ Martain and I catched 2 Salmon one weighed 30 £ and the other 
weighed 21 I had the largest and I made off 2 new Rakes for Rob' Neas- 
mith and fitted a parcel of Rake heads 

24"^ I took 3 rakes to Robert Neasmith for which he paid me 1-7-0 Bay 
old Tenor and I got his little Gii-1 to go to Capt Ohamberhns Mill for me 
with a bushell of Indian Corn and a bushell of Rie and I gave half a pis- 
tereen for her going Aud I Run lines about the home lotts for John Thomas 
for which Joseph let me have a bushell of Rie the 29th of last march 

25"> I finished 2 Rakes for james Martain aud one for John Thomas and 
I sent jamey and David to the brook to fish with Colburn and they got a 
Salmon that weighd 22 £ and I had the half of it 

26"' I fitted some Stuff for Syth Sneaths and finished makeing a Rake 
for John Thomas and one for Rob' Neasmiths Gii-ls that went to Capt 
Ohamberlins Mill for me the 24th Instant 

37"^ I bent at some Scyth Sneaths and hung my scyth ou one of them 
and John went to Capt Chamberlius Mill and took almost a bushell of Rie 
with him and got a bushell of Indian Corn of John Thomas on acct of my 
Runing lines there the 24th Instant & got them Ground and Colbui-n and 
I got a Salmon that weighed U}., £ and I had it which makes me 10 £ 
ahead of Martain 

28"' I hewed and Shaved some Rake stales and bent a scyth sneath aud 
such puttering work 

30"^ I began to Mow in the Little meadow aud found that the worms 
and grasshopers had almost destroyed my burnt lott and hurt the Rest a 
great deal 



MATTHEW patten's DIARV. 251 

31st I -went to Alexander McAllister in Londonderry and Run lines for 
him at Moose Hill and lodged there with him over Night 

AUGUST FIRST 

I -svrit two powers of Attorney from the old women and 4 of the childer 
to Rob* Fiiltou and took the acknowledgement they paid nie half a dollar 
in money and 4 £ of Cotton at a pistereen a ponnd toward my pay and I 
came to John Duncans and I got 2 Gallon of Rum for which I paid 1-16-0 
Bay old Tenor 

2'! I writ two advertisments for Dartni' -uth meeting to be held the loth 
Instant 

3'' John and I went and Mowed at the Little Meadow and we finished 
the bui-ut lott and the afternoon we mowed in the Squar and jamey & 
bob & david Reaped 4 Stooks being the first of our Reaping 

4"! I got 18)^ £ of beaf from Sam'i Yose at U4 penny per £ La: Mo: 
which paid me for my assisting in takeing Deacon Walkers Deposition 
with Col Golfe in perpetuam the 31st of last may and I paid his wife the 
hirespickery I borrowed there las faul or Winter and John went to Litch- 
field and got 2 sow pigs from John Quig the one he gave me and the other 
I am to pay for and I mowed some in the afternoon in the Little meadow 

5"* Mr Houston was absent from Bedford 

6'^ I went after my oxen to goffestowu and got them home about 2 
o Clock and in the afternoon I took in 8 Stooks of Rie and some odd 
sheaves and the boys turned hay at the little meadow and Raked and 
there was a shower in the afternoon that put them from it 

7**^ John thrashed 2 Stook which produced 2 bushell and 4 or 5 quarts 
and the other boys and I Reaped 3 stooks and 4 Sheaves and then we went 
to the Meadow and I brot home a load being what was in the burnt lott 

8"^ I brot home a load of hay and the boys Reaped 

Q^^ I brot home a load of hay and I took in 16 stooks and 9 sheaves there 
was 17 stooks and 9 sheaves in the South Field mth the old baulk 
included 

10"i my horse put out the Stifle joint of his off thigh and spent the fore- 
noon about it and the boys Reaped the forenoon above the barn 

11"^ the boys and I Reaped and we pounded 3 of old Mr Curriers hogs 
who has lived a long time in our field and did us a gi'eat deal of Damage 
Moses came and promised to take care of them and I let him have them 
Avithout asking any Satisfaction 

13"^ I went and Run the lines of no 2 & 3 in the Great meadow for 
James Gillmor and Moses Vickere and Lieut Daniel Moor joined on the 
outside and Gillmor pd me a pistereen and Vickere is to pay me in corn 
and Lieut Moor paid me 5/ Bay old Tenor 

14tii ^yy Reaped and in the afternoon was a shower that put us out 
from it 

lo'h iu the afternoon I went to Col Goffes to a Proprs Meeting of Dart- 
mouth and the boys and I fimshed Reaping the field before the house and 
tlie Rie that was on it carted in there was 23 Stooks of Winter in it 13 of 
Spring Rie 



252 IMATTllEW patten's DIAKY. 

1(!"^ we Reaped 13 Stocks and 9 sheaves which finislied our Reaping' wo 
liad 40 Stocks in rhe South field and above the bam the whole of our Rie 
amounted to 77 Stocks and we got the last of it iu 

17''' I carried .iohu Bell IB^o bushell of Ashes iJ'o I alowed him for the 
4^2 £ of pot Ash I had from hiui on the oth of last July and there was 10 
bushell lucre to be paid and I got 10 £ of shugar for them from him 

18"' I mowed some at home in the afternoon 

20"' I sent John with a letter to Esqr Lovewell to lutV)rm him that I 
could not go to portsmo this week and he got % an ounce of Nutmeg and 
a paper of pins at Meius and a yard of wier for which ho paid 11/10 Bay 
old Tenor 

'^l**' jclm and I mowed in the Little Meadow 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 21st 1770 

22'' My brors John helped us at the Meadow we mowed the Dispute lott 
and Raked what John and I mowed yesterday being 37 or 38 cocks and 
Susanna went to Meins and got I4 of popr and I4 of alspice for which she 
paid 9/6 Bay old Tenor 

23'' was a Rain in the Night and elovidy all day and very mugey hot 

24"' we Raked up the Disjiute lott and had 15 cocks on it and I carted 
a jag of hay from the Meadow 

25"' Ave mowed part of the day and Raked up 13 cocks of What we 
mowed today and susoy went to Derry and got ^o £ of Tea and a string of 
beads frc^m iiinkerton for which she paid 20/(5 Bay old Tenor and borrt)wed 
some Wool from William Morrows wife 

27"^ we worked at the hay in the Meadow a clear pleasant hay daj- 

28"' Raiuey day and My bror Sam" and John Wallace killed a Cow that 
they got from Matli"' Little they had her at 1/(5 pr £ Bay old Tenor she 
came to 17I0 Dollars I had a hind Quarter from my bror that weighed 
68 £ it canie to 5-2-0 Bay old Tenor I spent my day about it on Credit 

29"' I brot a load of liay from the Meadow 

30"' and 3P' I brct two load of hay from the Meadow each day 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I brot 2 load oi hay from the Meadow 

3'' Sam" Kennedy pd me 2 pisteroons for Writing a Deed from his 
brethren to him and some advice &c I did for him and I went and Run 
the lines of the 2 southerly lotts in the 4t:h Rang in this town for John 
McClearA^ and John wtnit to the Meadow and brot home 8 Cocks of hay 
being the last I had 146 Cocks in all in the little meadow this year we 
picked 7 cocks in Governor lott where we never got any before 

4"' Writ a Letter to Esqr Peirce of the value of the lott I run yesterday 
for my Runiug yesterday and the letter today John McCleary paid me a 
Dollar and I plowed in the field by my brors and we got 6 £ and 7 ounces 
of pot Ash from John Bell 

5"' and 6"' I plowed in the field by my bror and finished the field and on 
the 6th when I had done plowing I went to Mill and got two bushell of 
Rio and a biishell of Indian HTOund 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 253 

7th I harrowed iu the foreuoou and the afteruooii the boys aud I Cut 
stalks 

gth I -^vent to Col Goffes mill aud got 2% bushell of Rie Ground 

10*'^ I got clay at my brors clay pit and mended the moiith of our Oven 

IV-^ I waited on Esquire Jenness sou at Col Goffes about going to Pier- 
mont to lay out the home lotts and we concluded to go as soon as I coiild 
and am to send him word by the post when I can go 

13"' I cleaned up 5 bushel! of Winter Rie and sowed 4 of it in the field 
by my brors 

M*'^ I sowed about 5 bushell of Rie for my brors boys iu the field by his 
new barn 

15"! I sowed about 18 quarts of Rie which finished My field by my brors 
being 4^^ bushell and about two quarts on it of seed 

17"* I cleaned up 8 biishell of Winter Rie 

18"^ I got 2 bushell of Winter Wheat from Col Goffe to Sow 

23'! I sent John to Derry and brot 3 Galon of Rum from John Duncan 
and I paid a Dollar of it and I owe a pistereen of it 

23^1 my Wife was exercised with Travail pains since yesterday forenoon 
and I went and brot Grany Moor to oiu- house my Wife was considerably 
Exercised in the night but was better a days 

34th Yoj Wife was easyer this day altho she is and has been for a con- 
siderable time very poorly Aud John went to Meins and got % £ of tea 
and he paid two pistereeus of it and there is % a pistereen due toward it 

25"* my wife was Delivered Safe of a Daughter precisely at 12 o Clock 
at noon after aboundance of hard Labor and and a great deal of Discour- 
agement and fear of Deficualty My Wife and the women were all a great 
Deal Discoui'aged my brors Sarah and Betty sit up with the child the 
night following 

26"* there was a considerable Rain last night and this morning and I 
sowed the two bushell of wheat I had from Col Goffe the 18th instant 

27"* last night and today I sowed a bushell and about 5 or 6 quarts of 
Rie which finished what Indian hills I shall sow this faul and I butchered 
a Ewe that weighed about 38 or 39 £ 

29"* I workt at the highway from the hither end of the Casway to the 
bridge west of Arrowins and John workt the forenoon at it and jamey & 
Bob got a load of wood 

30"* my wife had a very 111 turn was very feaveris she got a Sweat and 
was a little Easyer in the Evening 

OCTOBER FIRST 

being Monday my mf e was worse in the middle of the day bnt was 
easyer in the afternoon and I workt at a table for jenny Polard and 
Samuell Kennedy gave me one shilling sterling for advice 

2'i I sowed near % of a bushell of Rie on part of the flax ground and 
part of the stuble I have sowed 6 bushell and one half of Rie this faul and 
two bushell of wheat and I worked at the table I was at yesterday and I 
did some AVTitings for Lieut Little and james Vose about a boy that Vose 



254 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

got from Little for which I charged 2V aucl Little gave me one pistereeu 
aud I could not give him his change and Vose owes his 

3'^ I workt some at the table 

4th I ^yj-it tiie Deed of "William Holms place to Jacob Freze and took the 
acknowledgement for which Freze paid me 2/s La : Mo : 

5th I -yyi-ite a Mortgage Deed from Jacob Freze to William Holms and 
took the acknowledgement for which Holms is to pay me 2/ La : Mo : 

gth I -went to Benj Dows to Measure off 46 acres out of the lott he lives 
on to his bror and after he had measured from the S: W: corner to the 
River we were obliged to leave off because we could not measure over the 
River and I writ a deed from his father Joseph Dow to him of the 
Remainder of the lott and in the afternoon I went to George Hadley for 
Abraham Merril and ^^Tit a Deed from Merril and another from Ezekial 
Stevens to said Hadley and Merril and Stevens paid me one shilling each 
for the deeds and Hadley paid me a pistereen and seven coppers toward 
the acknowledgements and there Remains 9/s Old Tenor of the pay for 
the Acknowledgements yet aud John went to Meins and got a Gallon of 
Rum and }4 £ of Loaf shugar and a pound of Tobacca and a Coppers 
worth of snuff and paid for them 37/5 Bay Old Tenor and he paid him H 
a pistereen that I owed him toward %£ oi Tea we had there the 24tli of 
last month and Susanna got 6 £ of brown shugar at John Bells on Credit 

8"^ I finished the table for Amoziah Polards wife and took it to Wards 
for her 

9"^ I Vendued David Scobeys place to Esqr Underwood for 2450 £ old 
Tenor and Lieut Daniel Moor piu'chased Esqr Underwoods Sale for a 
Johanna and I am to go tomorrow to Lieut Moors to do the Writings 

lO''^ I took 4 bushell of Rie to Lieut Moors Mill and writ the Deed from 
David Scobey to said Moor of his place and it was late when we had done 
and I tarried all night it Rained some 

11''^ I came home in the evening and brot the meal home with me 

12"! I went to Ezekiel Stevens and he paid me a Dollar and a half part 
of my service about Godfreys Estate and I went to the falls and got my 
nett that day at the falls from the spring and I left the pole in Hugh 
McCalleys chamber and the net I brot home 

13''^ I Husked corn the fore part of the day and the boys and I got in 
corn in the afternoon 

15*^ I Husked corn all day 

16"^ I took the acknowledgement of a Deed from Joseph Marston to 
Joseph Sanders unpd 

17"^ we brot in om- new land corn being the last we had two jaggs and 
about a half for our Oxen 

19"^ I went aud Run lines for Joseph Thomas at the lott he had from 
Loander in rained a good deal and wet us considerable and I took 1% 
bushell of New Indian corn to Daniel Moors Mill being the first we took 
to Mill this year and yesterday John got }( £ of tea and }i of peper and a 
pound of loaf Shugar and ^i a gallon of Rum and }4 a Gallon of Molasses 
from Meins and a Coppers worth of snuff for which he paid him a Dollar 
and he got lo a bushell of corn from Moses Yickery for my Runing lines 
for him the 13th of last August 



MATTHE^y patten's DIAIir. 255 

20th Was a Very great Storm of Rain and Hail the ^^^lld very high at 
northeast and workt backward to the North it Rained 24 hours 

23*1 I ^^Tit two deeds one from Joseph Thomas to John Mcintosh and one 
from Mcintosh to Tho'' and took the acknowledgements for which they 
paid me 3-11-2 And I lent janiey Patterson 2 bushell of Rie 

25"i the boys Diged 16 bushell of Potatoes being the first we diged to lay 
lip and I went to Lieut Moors Mill and got 4 bushell of Indian corn ground 

26"^ We all diged 30 bushell of potatoes 

27* We diged IT bushell of potatoes and John went to Meins and got % 
a Gallon of Rum and an ounce of Indigo and a pair of Shoe buckels for 
which he pd him 25/(5 Bay old Tenor 

29"^ I ^^Tit a Deed from John Lowder junr to Richard McAllester of the 
lott no 13 in the 8th Rang and a bond for the money and a Mortgage to 
Lowder of Richards place for security and Richard helped me to butcher our 
black cow she weighed 292 £ of beaf and 50 £ of hide and 10 £ of tallow 
Lowder paid me % ^ Dollar for his part of the pay and I gave a Deed of 
my Land in Goffestown on Piscataquog to Timothy Favoiir Esqr Abraham 
Dow and his bror Job for 2S0 Dollars they paid me 48 Dollars in Gold and 
silver at signing the deed they are to pay me 52 more in a month and a 
hundred in a year and 80 in two year the two last sums on Interest and 
the 52 on Interest if not paid in a month 

30*'^ a very cold day and high N : W : wind diged a few potatoes in the 
afternoon & I pd Mrs Heaper for her husbands work last faul 5-14-0 Bay 
old Tenor 

SI*"' last night froze extreamly hard Diged a few potatoes in the after- 
noon 

NOVEMBER 1st 

I went to Capt Karrs and had 3 new Shoes of my Iron and I had an old 
one and had them set the charge was 3-6-0 old Tenor and I paid it and 
all I owed him for smith work the whole came to 18-15-0 old Tenor 

2^^ I paid Thomas Wallace a pistereen for a peck of Onions we had from 
him some years ago and I paid him 2 pistereens for % a biishell of Onions 
that I am to get now 

4'^ I sent John to Meins and he got ]/i of Tea and a pound of tobacca and 
^o of gallon of Rum for which he paid 3 pistereens 

This week John Bell had my Cart to Mistake with a load of Potash 

7'^ I set out for Boston and had Mr Turrills Horse Cart arrived at Bil- 
lerica and lodged at Polards 

8"^ I arrived at Boston and lodged at Widow Cochranes 

9* Bot several articles and lodged at Mrs Cochranes a Rainey day 

10*'! Rainey untill 12 o Clock and then I set out came to Mistake and 
Wool and several other articles and came to Woburn Pi'ecinct and 
Lodged over the sabath at Mr Smiths the Retailers 

12"^ set out and traveled the Night following and arrived hom on tues- 
day morning a little after sun Rise on the 13th 

X4th J went to John Bell and got 6 £ of shugar and paid him 1-10-0 Bay 
old Tenor for it 

17"' John went to Meins and got % of Tea & half a Gallon of Molasses 



256 MATTHE^Y patten's diary. 

and paid 20/ Bay old Tenor for them and I went to Lieut Daniel Moors 
Mill and got 2 bushel of Rie and 2 bushel of Indian Corn Ground 

19"^ I went to Londonderry to Alexander McAlesters to Run lines for 
him 

20"* and 2P' and 22'^ was on the Affiar of his lines and came home in the 
Evening 

23<i Was a considerable Rain last night I went to Capt Karrs and got 
my plough Irons laid and 2 steples of yoke iron mended chains &c come 
to 6-10-0 old Tenor and I got two axes he new laid for me they were 7 £ 
old Tenor 

24"* I went with my Neighbors Ward and Chandler and Tho^ English 
and Run lines Ward and Chandler is to pay me }{ of a Dolar and English 
is to pay me J-4 of a Dolar 

25"* Robt Macmiu-phys John came to our house in the morning and in- 
formed us that my mother Macnmrphy Departed this life last night and 
we borrowed Col Goffes Chair and my wife and John set out for London- 
derry 

26*"* Susanna had her uncles Mare and went over to her grandmothers 
funeral and I put in two handles into the axes that Capt Karr laid for me 

27* I went at Robert Richardsons Desire and attended Col Goife and 
Capt Walker and laid out 25 acres to him on the right of Pumeroys heu-s 
in Goffestown for which Richardson is to pay me a Dollar 

28"* Alexander Gregg sent a son of Hugh Gregg to have me go to New 
boston to take some Depositions and I appointed to go on friday Next and 
gave him a Notification to james McFerson accordingly to meet to james 
Gregs at one o Clock and I coppyd off the plans of james Yoses two lotts 
where he lives 

29"* & 30* jamey and bob and I got wood I was disappointed of Going 
to New boston my horse did not come home from Derry and I could not 
borrow one 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I coppyed a number of liitts in Goffestown of the plan for Lieut Little 
and Esqr Dow came and paid me 33 Dollars in Gold and Silver towards his 
and his brors Job and Mr Favours Note that they gave me for fifty two Dol- 
lars on Demand and I lent 9 Dollars of it to james Vose and took his note 
on Demand for it with Intrest till paid 

3'i I went to Lieut Moors Mill with 2 bushell of Rie and 2 of Indian corn 
& and got them ground 

4"* we butchered our 2 Sows the one weighed 185 and the other 159 and 
I sent John to Meins and got ^4 £ of Tea and i.< Gallon of Molasses and X 
£ of peper and a Coppers worth of Great Pins for which he paid him 
1-16-10 Bay old Tenor 

5"* I went to Capt Karrs And I paid liim what I owed him on my Note 
being 2-18-8-3 and I paid him 13/9 for his laying 2 axes & other smith 
work the 23d ult and I overpaid him 23-10-5 old Tenor which I am to take 
out in smith work out of which he mended one of the Eye of my Cleavis 
and I got a bushell of corn from George Hadley -ivhich pd me all he owed 
me and a little over 



MATTHEW patter's DIAHY. 257 

6"* Was the General Thauksgiveiug and. I paid Mr George Tate 2-0-G Bay 
old Tenor being nir part for 3 scholars for a month schooling 

7"^ I paid John Clark for what Riini and Molasses Tody &c I had from 
Mary Riddle being 6-19-0 old Tenor 

gth I -^Yent Wards and Swore Capt Bradford and his wife to their admin- 
istration acct on her late husbands Estate and charged nothing And I 
went to Capt Barrons and he and Tho>* McLaughlin and I made the 2d 
Province rate and Mr Hepper worked yesterday and today for me and 
made a pair of Britches for me and a pair for janiey 

10^'^ I went to Lieut moors Mill and 2 bushell of Rie and 2 Corn and got 
it Ground and I paid INIa jor Goff e ^ o a Dollar for a bushell of Rie I had. 
from him the loth of last January as I Remember 

11"> I went to Matthew Littles to have him lay off to me the land I bot 
of Tuckermans for Tax and we agreed to do it tomorrow 

12"' it Snowed it fell about 3 or 4 inches deep 

13"' & 14"' I shod my sled and made a new Slat 

15"' I went to Daniel Moors Mill and got 3 bushell of Indian corn ground 
that I took from home 1 bushell of it was that I had from George Hadley 
the 6th Instant 

17"' it began to Snow in the morning but was but a little 

18"' I Hewed Rowler for a loging Sled and was hindered with company 
and James Person brot me an order of Coui't to take a survey in his case 
with James Gregg 

19"' went to Matthew Little to have him come and. lay off the land I bot 
of Tuckermans for Tax but he could not appoint a time 

20"' I fell a stick for a speer for a loging Sled 

21**' was a Rainey day 

22'' I finished a pair of Temples for Debli Haws for which she is to spin 
cotton and I went to Nathaniel Clark to get Patt Moor to come and spin at 
house on the Great wheel she agreed to come Next Wednesday Evening 
and I Avrit a Deed from William Perham junr to Rob' Richardson of half 
of Pomeroy heirs land in Goffestown and took the Acknowledgement for 
which Perham paid me two shillings la : Mo : and Rob' Richardson paid 
me a Dolla for my laying out sd land on the 27th ult 

26"' I brot home a stick for a spear to a loging Sled 

27"' I went after Patt Moor who did not come according to agreement 
she had got a fall and she agreed to come next Saterday 

28"' I measured off 20 acres of Meadow and Swamp for William McClen- 
tock in the meadow below his house to Abraham Merrill and others for 
which McClintock paid me a Dollar and I paid him 11/ Hampshire old 
Tenor for i^ a pint of Rum 

29"' I hewed some at a loging Sled Speer 

3P' I went to David Burns in Amherst to try to get Martha to Spin but 
could not and came home by Tlic" Wallaces and tryed for some of his 
Daughters but could not and John Got my horse shoes fitted at Capt 
KaiTs 

17 



258 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 



JANUARY FIRST 1771 

I weut to Loderry with Joseph Scobey ou his business concerning his 
adniinion on Kelsos Estate but the parties did not meet us according to 
appointment 

2^ Came home I bot a broth jiott that weighed 53 £ And a Tea Kittle 
from John Pinkerton for which I paid him 14/8 La : Mo : the pott was 8/8 
and the Tea Kettle 6/ and yesterday I had a Shoe sett on my horses near 
fore foot by Ayers and paid him 3 coppers I had no more change 

S'^ I went to Wylies to see to get one of the Girls to spin on the Great 
wheel she promised to come next monday 

4*'^ I paid 2 pistereens to Samuell Moor to pay his bror Capt Moor for a 
Gallon of Rum I had from his wife the loth of last Augt and I paid him 
10/ Bay old Tenor for an old Axe I had from this day and I went and Run 
lines at the 3d Division no 54 for james Moor junr of Mcrrymac but did 
not finish 

5"' I finished Runing the lines of lott I was at yesterday and writ a 
deed from the heu's to theu* Uncle Lieut Moor and another from him to 
Rob* Alexander I Reed no pay as yet for my service and I paid Meins 
6-6-0 Bay old Tenor for 6 bushell of Indian corn which I have to Receive 

7"^ John thrashed above a bushell of Rie and we cleaned it made with 
what we had cutt before about 2 bushell and we got out 4 bushell of In- 
dian corn of our own 

gth I went to Capt Karrs and got a new Axe and one they had laid John 
took the old axe there the 31st ult & jenny Wylie and Betty Vickere came 
to our house to Spin Wool 

9"^ I went to Merrymac and got 2 bushell of corn from Rob' Gillmoor 
on Meins acct and 2 more from Magaw on his acct made 4 of the 6 I bot 
the 5th Instant and I came to Widow Moors and took the acknowledge- 
ment of the Deed that Deacon Moors Heirs gave to their uncle Lieut John 
Moor and I got the 4 bushell of corn I had from Meins Ground at Lieut 
Moors Mill & I paid McGall 4 Dollars for corn which I have to Receive 

10*'^ I Run the dividing lines of Scobeys place between him and Lieut 
Moor and I got a biishell of wheat from Scobey and one from his son 
David toward the service I have done for them and Mr Ward brot us a 
loaf of sliugar from Boston of 10 £ weight a 7/ pr £ Bay old Tenor I sent 
8-5-0 Bay old Tenor with him and he Returned 2 Dollars in change 

11th J "wrent and run the lines at the meadow lott no 27 for james Wylie 
and the line between his place and Robert Gifiins charged 6/ unpd 

12* I weut with Capt Barron and viewed the Bridge over Piscataquog 
River to see if we would accept it and I took the acknowledgement of the 
Deed from Lieut John Moor to Robert Alexander and Alexander paid me 
half a Dollar toward my Runing the lines of the 3d Division no 54 last 
week 

14"i I with John and james measm-ed off S^o Acres of the west end of 
the lott no 3 in the 11th Rang that I bot at Vendue to pay the Tax I 
charged 9/s La : Mo : for myself and boys the charge before the laying out 
was 15-19-6 O T I bot it at 3 £ pr acre which came to 5I3 and the laying 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 259 

out made 8} 3 and the collector charged as much as made it 8}-^ acres in 
the whole 

15"' I Run lines in the ash swamp for Capt Barron Tho* Murdough and 
John Gillmor the Capt is to pay 2/6 and Murdough and Gillmor is to pay 
3/6 

16"' I "SYrit a deed from W" White Junr of some land in Newboston to 
David Scobey and took the acknowledgement for which White paid me 
2/ lawful money and went to Capt Karrs for smith work and I tarried 
there over Night 

17th J got an ax that he upsett and Shutt the Eye and a beal for our great 
pot and a bit for boreing spools 

18*^ I went to Joseph Batchelders and got two bushell of Salt of Capt 
Karrs from him that lay there by a ^^Titteu order I owe Capt Karr for it 

19"' I went to Meins and I got ^o £ of Tea and 2 £ of Shvigar from Me- 
ga w for which I paid him 31/6 Bay old Tenor and I got 31^ bushell of 
corn from him toward what money I had given him and Meins 

2pt I went to Meins and Magaw gave me an order on John Parker for 4 
bushells of Rie and I went and got it and I paid Doctr Parker for 1,^ ounce 
of herispickery 15/ old Tenor that jas Martain brot me last Summer and I 
came back and paid Magaw 5 £ Bay old Tenor for the Rie I got at Parkers 
on the order he gave me and I had a pound of tobacca and }4 ounce of snuff 
from him for which I paid him 6/3 bay old Tenor and in the Evening I 
paid John Kidder a Dollar for all the ferriage I have had since he has at- 
tended it being two year and better and 20/'^ old Ten"^ of it was the ferri- 
age of the Selectmen and Witnesses when Merril Cited the Selectmen to 
court about a highway to his ferry in the year 1769 and comeing home I 
settled with Lieut Caldwell for a Stack of hay he had from me two year 
ago or more he charged me for 3 Gallon of Molasses 36/ and 3 bushell of 
potatoes 27/ Bay old Ten' and he had paid me two dollars in money and 
there was 24/ bay old Tenor due to me and he paid it to me and I forgot 4 
hundred of hay he had from me before he had the Stack of me which was 
not Reckoned 

22^1 I went to Litchfield and had 1 bushell of Rie from McGall and 3 
from Jonathan Stevens at John Parkers and I paid McGall for the whole 4 
bushell and I got 3 yds of wire for my brors Betty she sent 2 Coppers and 
I laid out the Rest and a Dozn of Needles for which I paid 4 Coppers and 
I paid Grany Moor half a Dollar for her Service as a Midwife when our 
Sarah was born last Septr 

23<i 24"' & 25"' I with my bror Sani'i & SamU Vose for the Proprs of this 
town and Capt Barron and Capt Bradford for Amherst Pi'oprs Preambii- 
lated and Established the line between the proprietors and Writ and 
Signed a Settlement to each other of the same to be put on each Pi-oprs 
book Respectively my Expences on said Service was 9/'10 Bay old Tenor 
the first night I lodged at Mr Howards and the second night I lodged at 
Capt Allds all at free cost my charge for said 3 Days for time and ex- 
pences is one pound seven shillings lawfull money 

26"' jenny Wylie and Betty Yickere went home from spining and I paid 
each of them a Dollar for what they have helped me 



260 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

28*'^ I writ a Deed from Lieut Daniel Moor to Alex'^ janiison and gave 
Col Goffe a Summons for Witnesses in Lieut Halls case and the town of 
Derryfield and a Notification to Hall to hear the Evidences Next Thm-sday 
at Col : Goffes at one o Clock afternoon and I went to New^ boston to Sur- 
vey on James Ferson and Alex"" Greggs controversie and lodged at Deacon 
Chandlers 

29 and 30*'> on the business but did not finish by Reason that it snowed 
and came home but agreed to go back next Monday if the snow and 
weather will permitt 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JANRY 3rd 1771 

31^t I attended at Col : Goffes and took several Depositions for the town 
of Derryfield against Lieut Hall unpaid my charge is 6/ LawfuU money 

FEBRUARY 

2^ I mended at my shoes and got a Gallon of Molasses from Capt Wal- 
ker for which I am to Measure and Run off his son Silass laud in Goffes- 
town 

4*'^ I sett out for New boston to finish the survey for james Ferson and 
Alex'^ Gregg and on my way there I Measured and Run off Silas Walkers 
laud and Capt Walker attended the same and I went to james Fersons 
and lodged there 

o*^'^ Run lines on the former affau- of Fersons & Gregg and I lodged at 
Fersons and Exceeding cold hay 

6*'' Run lines on the same affair very cold but not so Extream as yester- 
day and I lodged at Hugh Greggs 

"7^^ was a Suowj day and I came to james Fersons and drawed the plan 
of my Survey for them and lodged at Fersons 

8"' I came home and james Ferson before I left his house paid me four 
Dollars towards my pay I charged Six Dollars and I promised to forgive 
one Dollar if they made up their affair without going to court 

9*'^ was a very snowey day and toward the end of it it Rained and the 
wind got to the South and blowed hard and old John McLaughlin was 
buried he died yesterday and I butchered our old Ram he weighed 43 £ 

10"^ Sabathday a pleasant day and a considerable hard crust on the 
snow the wind Exceeding high at N : W : 

j^lth I -went to Meins and I hot 7 £ of Rice a 10/6 and 2I2 Quarts of Rum 
a 11/2 and an Ounce of pins a 3/ and two Gimbletts a 4/2 and i^' oz of 
Snuff a 1/3 and Discounted out of the money I had gave him for corn I 
gave him 4 Dollars and I got 1>^ bushell of corn a 21/s pr bushell and I 
Reed the change of the 4 Dollars being 5-19-5 all Bay old Tenor 

12"^ was a Snowy fore part of the day and then it Rained a smart Rain 
and I soled bobs shoes and fitted the heels 

13t'» the wind high at N: W: and very cold and we broke a path and got 
home a little wood 

14»i and 15"' I went with Lieiit John Moor to his Sister in laws and ^^Tit 
2 Deeds one of Deacon james Moors whole Estate to David McCleary junr 
and a Deed of Davids place to james Moor and several other papers and I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 261 

charged a Dollar jamey paid me Kj of it and David is to pay me the other 
lo a Dollar and I got }.< £ of Tea and 2 £ of shugar and ^o oimce of Smifif 
& with au Almanack that John Got this winter came altogether to 1-14-7 
bay old Tenor from McGall which I paid 

16"' I went to Francis Barnetts and his wife gave me some honey for to 
use as a medicine for the cold for my wife 

17"' Sabath day was a Snowy day it fell several inches deep 

18"' I went to Math^''' Littles and with him and Lieut Moor to Ai-bitrate 
between John McLaughlin and Rob* Giffen but covild not finish for want 
of John McLaughlins Administration acct on Taggarts estate charged 4/ 
and I writ a Deed from George Hadley to jese Wright and took the ac- 
knowledgement for which josiah Wood paid me 2/ 

19"' I went to Meius and I got one Gallon of Molasses one ounce of pins 
lo ounce of Nutmeg and }4 ounce of snuff & one gallon of N: E: Rum for 
which I paid him 0-4-4-2 La Mo and I paid the 12 bushell of Indian corn I 
agreed for from Rob"^ Alxi- to his wife being six Dollars and I left our own 
three bags and three bags I borrowed from my bror Sam^'-* wife to Receive 
the corn in and Lieut Moors team is to carrie it to his mill from there 

20"' I went and Run a line of a piece of land that Will'" Nutt bot of 
Major Goffe in Derryfield and writ the Deed and took the acknowledge- 
ment and Some other Writings and charged 4/ Lawful Goffe paid me 2/ 
and Nutt promised to me the other 2/ 

2P' I put a handle into an Ax that Capt Karr laid for me this Winter 
and was a very cold day 

22'! I attended at Col Goffes pr his desire with my bro & Majr Goffe and 
made out a list of assessment and a list of how much money was pd 
and Writ 2 advertisements for a Meeting to be held the eighth of March 
next at ten o Clock forenoon 

23*^ Alex'' Gregg brot us 2 £ of sniiff one quarter and half of white Silk 
Catgut came to 33/9 bay old Tenor for which I gave him a Dollar the 7th 
Instant at w^hich time I got a penknife from him the knife was 7/ bay old 
Tenor and he Returned me 4/2 being the change of the Dollar and I went 
to Lieut Moors for the 12 bushell of Corn that he brot from Alexanders for 
me but the mill was out of order and I got but 2 bushell of it ground and 
came and 2 bushell of salt from John Bell for the journey of my Cart last 
November or Oct"^ to Mistake vnth his pot ash 

25"' Mr Hepper came to make a suit of Fustiu for me and I got ^4 J^ 
and Nale of two cloth from him and and three sticks of twist and I went to 
McGaws and got one Gallon of Molasses l-^ Gallon of Rum and two Dozen 
of Coat buttons and a quire of Writing paper for which I pd him 2-12-0 
bay old Tenor 

26"' I went to Newboston to take Depositions for Alex'' Gregg in his and 
James Farsons case & lodged at Deacon Cochraues with a great Rain 

27"' I Got Rob* McFarland to go and Notifie Gregg that I was Come and 
I took 4 Depositions and lodged at Deacons Cochraues again snowed about 
3 inches 

28"' I came home had Exceeding bad Travelling both up and down but 
Especially down I charged 12V Lawful unpaid 



262 MATTHEW patten's DIART. 

MARCH 

I spent the day in new drawing the plan of james Fersons Alexander 
Greggs controversie and in the Evening I went and see my neighbour 
Ward who is about nioveing away next week and my brors Betty paid me 
16/ bay old Tenor being the Remainder of the sleeve bottons she had from 
me last faull 

2^1 I went as far as Deacon Boies to get word to Tho'' Boies to come next 
Monday to Tho^ McLaughlins to settle on his Constableship and went to 
james Wallace at his place to get word to Mr Houston to come and get his 
order for his sallery for the year 1770 

3'^ I Reed a Dollar from Alex' Gregg to help bear my expenses to Ports- 
mouth as an Evidence in his case and james Fersons 

4"i Capt Barron and I met at Tho^ McLaughlins and we Reed 6-9-11-1 
La: Mo: from james Caldwell of his collection of rates and 1-2-4-3 from 
Tho* Boies of his Collection of Rates and I got the money to buy Weights 
and Measiu-es and a new town book and we Examined Tho*' Boies on his 
constableship and there Remains due of his Lists 9-13-0-0 and we gave 
Mr Houston an order for 49-2-2-3 which with two pistereens he Reed from 
Thomas Boies more than his order on liim made his salary for the year 
1770 and gave some other orders and Drawed the March meeting War- 
rant and Sam'i Vose was there and we gave it to him 

6"^ I set out for Portsmouth to Return the Plan of james Fersons And 
Alexander Greggs Dispute and lodged at Towles 

7"' I arrived at Portsmouth about two of the clock in the Sessions put 
up my horse at Dwyers I lodged at Moses Nobles 

8"^ I sit in the Sessions 

9^'^ james Ferson gave up the case the court allowed me 8 Dollars for my 
journey horse and Expenses this day in the afternoon I bot a set of Weights 
and Measures from Noah Parker for whicli I paid him 4-15-0 Lawful 
Money as pr his Rect to be Delivered at Exeter by the 10th of next may 
and I bot a New town book from Mr Appleton for which I pd him 12/ La: 
Mo: and a Set of Money Weights and Scales from sd Appleton for which I 
paid him 6/ La: Mo: and Gregg pd me 3i'2 Dollars mth the Dollar he pd 
me y"^ 3d Instant made my pay for my takeing Depositions 

10*1^ Sabath day a great N: E: Storm of Rain 

11*'^ the Storm continued the same point very hard 

12'^^ the storm not quite so hard but the wind still high the same point 
and I Reed 8/ for my two days sitting in the sessions and I bot a horn 
comb and an Ivory comb from Mr McMasters and pd 12/2 bay old Tenor 
for them 

13"^ the storm more abated and I set out after Dinner and arrived at 
Stratham and lodged at Mi-s Chases 

14'^^ arrived at Rob* McMurphys and lodged there 

15"^ Arrived home after a tedious joui-ney of Storm and Extream bad 
traviling 

16"^ I did nothing but Examin my acct of Expences and Disbursements 
and some Receivings 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 263 

IS"' joliii "weut to Londonderry and sot IQio Gallons of Molasses from 
Pinkertons and 2io Quarts of Rum for which he paid 19/6 Lawful Money 
and he went and Lodged at his uncle Rob'* 

19"' his uncle Rob' sent two boar pigs to us and he came home and brot 
the MoUasses and Rum with him and I went to McGalls and bot % £ of 
Ginger and 14 £ of Rice for which I paid him 24/1 bay old Tenor 

20"' my bror had my oxen to help him draw down two oak logs from 
his house to the mill and I went down and he took in four of his that lay 
at the Mill and We took in one oak and seven pine logs of mine onto the 
ways 

23'^ I finished Entering and Examining the town aifairs of the year 1770 
in the New to^\ai book yesterday I writ a deed from janies Caldwell of this 
to^^^l to Math^' Caldwells Deed children of his place in New boston and 
today he sent David Briant for it and sent us a present of two £ of butter 
or more and I charged nothing for the Deed and John cleaned up 8 bushell 
of Rie and got two sow pigs from my bror Sam'' yesterday 

25"' 1 paid Gan Riddell my bridge Rate being seven shillings and three 
pence three farthings Lawful Money and I weut and bolted 2 loggs at the 
Mill 

26"' I had Martains and Thomas McLaughlins oxen and William Mc- 
Laughlin and we fh-awed in 18 pine logs onto the ways at the mill and I 
went to Capt Barrous and McLaughlin and I got one order on Tho* Boies 
for 1-17-4 La: Mo: and another on Samuell Vose for 1-10-0 and Capt Bar- 
ron Reed an order on Tho'* Boies of 14/ and another on Sam'' Vose of 13/ 
and McLaughlin Received one on Sam" Vose of 13/ 

27"' was our Anmial Meeting and I was chose second Selectman and 
Town Clerk and Sealer of Weights and Measures And they voted Mr 
Houston away sixteen Sabathday the Ensueing year 

28"' I went Among Some of the Inhabitants to have them attend the 
adjournment of the March Meeting next Monday and I brot hom two 
bushell of Indian Meal from Lieut Dan" INIoors being the last of the 12 
bushell of Corn I had from Alexander and John Cleaned up 10 bushell of 
Rie 

29"' I new drawed a Supjilieation for a proprietors Meeting and two 
Notifications for a meeting to be held at the Meeting house on the loth of 
April next 

30"' I carried an order that Daniel McKinney of Curries bush gave of 
'1% Dollars on Dauiell Quigg the 25th of Febr 1767 to Jacob McQueads to 
give to George Orr to take it to McKinney to try to get the money but Orr 
was not at home and I left it witli Jacob McQuead to give to George Orr 
when he came home and I cleaned up 5 bushell of Rie in the afternoon 

APRIL FIRST 

in the forenoon I drawed at frameing the Articles among the partners of 
the forge and in the afternoon was the adjournment of our March Meet- 
ing which I attended and I paid Gan Riddell 18/ Bay old Tenor for a Gal- 
lon of Molasses had 2 or 3 years ago 

2'' I ^^Tit 2 deeds for Hiigli Gregg of Newboston one for his son james 



264 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

and the other for his son Alexander and charged nothing and in. the after- 
noon I Recorded the March meeting Wart and part of the Votes and John 
cleaned np 8 biishell of Rie 

3*^ I finished Recording and Examining the March meeting Wart and 
Votes and I went down to Martains and got him to sharp the point of my 
two iron Wedges 

4"^ I went to Litchfield and got % bushell of flaxseed and % a bnshell 
of peas from John Quig and he would not take pay for them untill after- 
wards and I paid 6 coppers of ferriage at Reeds and I got 2 £ of shugar 
at And y^ a gallon of Rum from McGall for which I pd him 177 Bay old 
Tenor 

5"^ I allmost finished the Writings Relateing the forge I writ all day at 
them untill little before night 

6*'^ I finished the forge Writings and charged a Dollar unpaid and the 
boys finished thrashing our Rie 

7"^ the boys cleaned up 8 bushell of Rie being the last and in the after- 
noon they picked some Cranburys and I morticed two of Sarah Pattens 
Table leggs and I turned them we have the old meal chest full and the 
long box on the back side of the chamber full Exceept about a bushell 
I suppos we have now about 37 bushell of Rie by us 

8«> I workt at the Table 

IC^ I finished the Table and I mended a Coffie Mill of Sam'' Voses and 
^ve began to plow between the house and the new Log fence and by the 
new Cellar and Well and I went to McGalls and got 21 £ of Rice i.t £ of 
Tea and 2 £ of Shugar for which I paid him 3-3-6 bay old Tenor 

ll"i & 12"' I took all the Invoice of my half of the town exceept 3 mens 

13"' Oapt Walker came and Gelded a large boar and two boar pigs for 
me and in the forenoon I workt at Makeing money of the Invoice and I 
got Martain to make a new link for the Chain of my Iron and shut two 
other links 

15"' I went to Capt Barrons and he agreed to change a bushell of Peas 
for Rie he brot them to me and I let him have two bushell of Rie and in 
the afternoon I went to a proprs Meeting of this town and I was chose 
with Capt Barron and james Vose a Commitee for leasing out the School 
lotts 

16"' Capt Barron james Vose and I went and I Run the north side the 
East end and south side of the school lotts and in the Evening we met at 
John Bells and Jacob McQuead and Hugh and John Orr to lett out the 
school lotts but coiild not agree my expeuces at Bells was 4/ Bay O : T : 
and I paid 4/ Bay O : T : for james Vose there and I bot a Codfish from 
John Bell that weighd 3 £ and 10 ozs for which I paid him 5/10 Bay O : T : 

17"' I went and See Col Goft'e who was come home from Court to hear 
news aboiit our County att'airs 

18"' WAS THE GENERAL FAST THROUGHOUT THE PROV- 
INCE and our Mottle Cow Calved a bull Calf 

19"' I sowed about a bushell of peas and I writ a deed from John Clark 
to Ann Kennedy and I took the acknowledgement and charged 2/ Ann is 
to pay 1/ to her bror W'" for me for the acknowldgement and Clark owes 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 265 

iiie 1/ for the ^\Titillg the Deed whicli he promised, to pay and I went to 
Lieut Daniel Moors Mill and took 2 bushell of Rie and Po biishell of 
Indian corn and got it ground and I had the Toal 

30"' I worked at niakeing a new pair of Sighters for my Compass last 
night it snowed and this morning it was an inch or two deep it sleeted & 
rained together a little all day but did not consume 

21^' the snow melted away 

22^1 I finished makeing the Sighters for my Compass in the morning and 
Tho'* Newman put a peice of a Strap to John McLaughlins Spade and I got 
ig a bushell of Barley from Capt Barron to sow it was not well cleaned 

23<^ I sowed the Barley I had of Capt Barron yesterday and John plowed 
it in and then Harrowed it and the peas over 

24"' I Run lines for David Moor and james Gillmor about the lott No 
74 for David Moor and about Gillmors lotts in the 2d teire for Gillmor 
I Charged a Dollar unpaid our Bossey heifer Calved a Cow Calf last night 

25"' I went to james Caldwells and Did some writing for him and I 
went to Rob' Morrials and Vendued his place and his sons and then ' I 
Vendued several articles for Rob' Morrial and broke up Near three 

Clock in the morning I charged G/ La : Mo : 

26"' I went to Rob' Alexanders and I got 10 £ of pork from him for 
which I paid him a Dollar and I got 3 £ of shugar and 14. ^ of Tea and 
>^ £ of Ginger from Meins for which I paid him 1:17:6 Bay old Tenor 

27"' I wi'it a Deed for George Cowen from all Chandlers heirs exceept 
Zechariah for which he paid me 1/ La : Mo : and I went to Old Curriers 
and Avrit a bill of Sale and took the acknowledgement for which his son 

Sam^i me 2/ Lawfull and I did some writing for jonath Currier for 

which he promised to pay me 1 £ La : Mo : 

29"' I -writ a Deed for Lieut Little which he promised to pay me and I 
went to Lieut Daniel Moors and I took 1 ^o bushell of wheat and 2 bushell 
of Rie to his mill and got it ground and I went with him to Scobys and 
Run several of the lines and fixed the boimds of what he had from David 
Scobey and I did some ■s\Titings for Mrs Hepper and Mr Kindrick brot us 
the preceipt for a Representative for Amherst & Bedford 

30"' I drawed a Wart for a meeting to be held at Amherst May 16th to 
Elect a Representative for Amherst and Bedford and Capt Barron and 
John Aiken came to my house and we drawed the warrants for the Sur- 
veyors of highways and in the afternoon we went to Deacon Boies to 
apprize the damages that John Wallace does him by flowing his Grass 
ground and to lay out the highway north of Wallaces but he would not 
leave off his Sawing to go with us and therefore we did not do it and 

1 took the acknowledgement of two deeds one for David McCleary which 
he paid and the other for Samuell Terrill Senior unpaid 

MAY FIRST 

I -WTit a Deed from William Godfrey to james McGregore and I took the 
acknowledgement and charged 3£ old Tenor and he Godfrey paid me 
2-15-0 and 5/ old Tenor Remains and I ^\Tit a Deed from Col : Gott'e to 
Ezekial Stevens 



2(36 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

2^^ Cezar barroii help me and we laid the bottom logs of our new fence 
and I sent David to johu Bell and got a qiTart of Rnm on Credit 

4"^ I soled Johns pums and Bob lielped Zech : Chandler with our oxen 
to plow some land for to Sow flaxseed on for Susanna 

Cyth ]y[y )3i-ors Samiiell helped me to lay up at the new log fence and I 
got a quart of Rum from John Bell and I pd him for it and the quart 
I had the 2d Instant 34 o^ ^ Dollar 

7"^ I plowed for planting 

S"^ I plowed and I let Matthew Little have 2 hundred of hay 

9*'^ I had one pair- of my brors oxen from about 10 of the Clock till night 
to plow and I finished all but a land of five paces wide 

10"^ I and Bob went with the oxen and Harrowed the ground that she 
has of Zech : Chandler to sow her flax seed on 

11 til ^e biitchered oiu- pig that we have been fatting this month or two 
he weighed 140 pound 

13*'^ I plowed the Ground for susanuas flax seed and sowed it I sowed 
about 9 or ten quarts of seed and Bargained with Tho** Hall for his Right 
in the new setting place for 28 : 10 : old Tenor he owed me 25 : 12 : 8 on 
book which he allowed and I pd him ig Dollar in money and almost a 
penny La : Mo : over and Jas Ferson pd me 10 Dollars being what he owed 
me for my service in his case and Alexander Greggs & I gave him two 

14"^ I took his Quit Claim of his Share in the Setting Place and Haws 
sent us two pound of snuff that he brot from Boston I sent 1-2-8 Bay old 
Tenor with him for it the tenth Instant and Tho^ Newman Mended the 
Tang of my Dung fork and I began to furrow for planting corn 

15"^ I finished furrowing there was a considerable Rain today 

16"' I with Divers of this towns people went to Amherst and I in con- 
junction with them chose Col : Goft'e for our Representative I was chose 
Moderator and I hot 4 Musquash skins from my bror Sam^' for six pence 
La : Mo : and I pd him a Dollar and he gave me no change my Expences 
that I paid was 11 V Bay old Tenor Col: Gofife treated bountyf uly and I 
came home in the night in company with my bror 

17th I -writ a letter to the Governor and Another to Isaac Rindge Esqr 
and Recorded the Warrant for the choice of a Representative and the 
Voters in the aftnoou Droped corn 

18*'' I went to Col : Lutw^ches and got an order from widow Parker of 
three Dollars to have for my services as siu'veyor in laying off her thirds 
and he Endorsed it on my Note to him the Remainder of the Note is to 
ly untill I Receive my Averidge out of Capt Parkers Estate And I came 
to McGalls and I bot 10 £ of Cotton and ^o Dr of Tea and }i of peper and 
4 of Shugar for which I paid him 8-2-7 Bay old Tenor but I pd him 6^ 
bay old Tenor over in a Mistake they came to 7-16-7 Bay old Ten'^ and 
the boys finished planting corn above the barn 

20"^ I went to Col : Goflfes with two letters one for the Governor and 
the other for Isaac Rindge Esqr and fitted for going to fish at Amoskieg 

21*t I had one pair of my Brors oxen and the boys plowed for Cow yards 
and I went to the falls and fished on the Island on Sam" Richards Right 
& I got Six shad being the first I went to the falls this year 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIARY. 267 

22<i I got 9,^:4 £ of Iron from Newman and Martaiu made two Hook bolts 
for our fishing place between the Pulpit and Snllivans point and charged 
a shilling LA : MO : for makeing them 

23'i 24"^ & 25"^ I fished at the Falls 

27"^ 28 & 29t'i John and I fished at the falls 

30'!^ I went A^^th Major Gofte to job Dows in Goffestown and took 3 
Depositions for him in his sons case with Sarah Marsh the charge unsettled 
and came from there a little before night to Tho^ Sherleys and took some 
Depositions for Alexander Gillcrist and Daniel McFarland and lodged at 
Gillcrists over night 

31*'* took more Depositions for Gillcrist and McFarland I took 7 for 
Gillcrist and 5 for McFarland the charge unsettled and came by Samuell 
Kennedys and got a Rakoon skin that I bot from jos: Kennedy yesterday 
for which I paid him -1-5-0 Bay old Tenor / 

JUNE FIRST 

What fish John and I have got from the falls this fish time is 124 or 12(> 
and about 20 £ of Salmon and I went to the falls with Sam" Richards and 
Thomas Miller set a Salmon pot on oiu* setting place 

S'^ I got 10 shad and a 20 £ Salmon for my part of what fish was in the 
pot we set on Saterday and John and I fished at the falls and we paid 
Hacket 14 shad I owed him and we sent hom 45 and half of a small sal- 
mon 

4 and 5"^ I and John fished at the fall and got 4 Shad and 17£ of Salmon 
these two days and came home in the Evening 

6'^ jos: Farmer came in the morning and brot us an acct of Capt: Bar- 
rons Death and I went & Farmer and I made the Coffin and John got 5 
shad of yesterdays divide that he did not get till today makes 90 shad 
this week 

7'^^ I attended the funeral of Capt Barron and I was one of the Under 
bearers 

gtii I went to Means and got 4 £ of Shugar and 6 yards of tape for which 
I paid 17/3 Bay old Tenor and I drawed a Wart for a town Meeting to be 
held the 24th Instant to chuse a Selectman in the Room of Capt Barron 
Dec*! and I got 447 Cabage plants from jos: Farmer and Tho«: Miller and 
John took the Setting place last night and John got home 9 shad and 8 £ 
Salmon and he sold a 20 £ of Salmon 

IQth I got 2 shad by fishing and 12 Ells and I got 6 shad and K^ of a 20 £ 
Salmon out of the pot and I fished Ells the night following and I got 44 
tow of which Hannah McAllen u.sed by order and the boys began to Weed 
the corn 

12"^ I fished at the Setting place on Johns Right and I Got 49 £ of Sal- 
mon 1 shad and 3 Ells and Isold 11 J4^ £of Salmon and I watched the Night 
following and I got 17 Ells for my Divide and about a 10 £ Salmon and 1 
shad on the Watch and I got 5 shad from the company for a quart of Rum 
that we had that I pd and 4 Ells for a pint that I pd to Drink in the night 
and I gave Col: Goft'e }o of a 10 £ Salmon and a Shad and he gave us a 
Glass bottle full of Rum 



268 MATTHEW patten's DIAHY. 

14th I -^vent to Lieut Patees to John Dow to Measure off job Dows laud 
and tarried over iiight at John Dows Desire to try to Settle between him 
and his sons Abra'" and job about their joining their mill Dam to to his 
land and accomplished it in the Evening and next morning 

15"^ I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for David Currier unpaid 
and I came home and John Dow paid me a Dollar for my time and pains 
■v^ath him 

17"' Tho" Newman Made 20 horse nails for me I sett the fore shoes on 
my horse myself and John fished at the setting place and the other boys 
finished hoeing the potatoes and Col: Goffe swore me to my Acct: Against 
James Gordons Estate 

16"' I mended my pumps and I sent Bob to Lieut Daniel Moors mill^^i.th 
2 bushell of Rie and one of Indian but got no meal it Rained some the af- 
ternoon and he got some Cabage and french turnips from Lieut Moor and 
James and niy brors John got a considerable number of Cabage and french 
Turnip plants from Francis Barnett and Samuell A'ose 

19"' I writ a conveyance of the privilege of a highway from W'" Heiu-y 
to Hugh Ramsey and took the acknowledgement and took the aclaiowl- 
edgement of two deeds one from Ramsey to Henry and another from 
Henry to Ramsey for which I charged 4/ Lawful unpaid Ramsey promised 
to pay the whole and I went to Means and got 2 £ of loaf Shugar and a 
Quire of wi'iting paper for which I pd him 3 pistereens and I came to Lieut 
Moors and got the meal home of the Grain Bob took there yesterday and 
I had the Toal 

20"' I writ a Deed from Fergiis Kennedy to Nath" Patterson of the lott 
No 19 in the 8th Rang for which Kennedy paid me 1/ La: Mo: and I took 
the acknowledgement for Patterson charged 1/ La: Mo: unpaid and I sett 
out for Dunstable and I lodged at Capt Colburns 

21"' I settled my acct with Ovid Houston on Mr Gordons Estate which 
was 10-2-6 Bay old Tenor for my going to Monson in May 1770 preambulate 
the bounds of his land there I sent for an iron Squar and a pound of hard 
soap came to 1-5-6 and I got a Hat at 4-15-0 and a £ of Tea at 2 £ and 3 £ 
and three ozs of English steel at 14/2 and Reed 1-7-10 in cash made up my 
wholl Demand and I came home by Hollis and settled my note against 
Eben'^ Farley and the cost of sueing and took a New Note for the whole 
being 2-10-2 La: Mo: and I came to Mr Fisks and paid him a Dollar which 
was 5/ Bay old Tenor more than I owed him for all he has Taned and 
Curried for me and there is two Calves both good ones that he had from 
me that I have had nothing for yet and I came home my Expences 18/3 
Bay old Tenor 

23'i I went to Derryfield Meeting hoiise and heard Mr Ward of Plymouth 
preach 

24"' Was a town meeting to chuse a Selectman in the Room of Capt 
Barron Deed and ^ve chose Deacon Walker a Selectman in his Room and 
this was the day of the adjournment of the Proprs meeting of this town 
and Capt Barron who was the Moderator being Deed we thot it best to let 
the meeting Die and at some convenient time call a new meeting and in 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 269 

the evening I writ 3 advertisements for W'" Barnett for the sale of Sam" 
Tiirrills Oxen at John Bells the 3d of July next at 2 o Clock afternoon 

25'h I went and got Capt Invoice that he had taken and I took 3 £ and 
7 oiincs of Steel to Newman to put on the plow irons he is to make for me 
and I went to the falls and put 3 fishing poles two of them, had bows ou 
into Hugh McColleys chamber and I brot bow and pole and net home and 
a pole without 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JUNE 25 1771 

26"' I went and fished at the Setting place and got 15 £ of Salmon and I 
got one shad and t^vo Ells tovrard a pint of Rum we had that I paid for to 
James Russ I fished in company ^vith W"' Karr and Pope Tho"* james And 
I writ 4 advertisements for james Moor of Merrymac for tlie sale of his 
place that he had from his brother in Law David McCleary to be sold on 
the 18th of July next unpaid 

27"' I went and took all the Invoice that Capt Barron left untaken of his 
half of the town and finished exceept three and Exceeding Sultery hot day 

28'^ I went to Matthew Littles and he signed the Deed to Nathanial 
Clark of the land I bot for Tax of Tuckernians and I took the acknowl- 
edgement and I took my brothers Invoice 

29"^ I gave Nath" Clark the Deed of the laud I bot for tax of Tucker- 
mans and I took his note for 26^ Dollars for it and I with the other select- 
men bound out james and David Hanrick to W'" Caldwell and Joseph 
Wallace 

JULY FIRST 

I paid Lydia Hepper a Dollar toward what I owe her husband and I 
went and Run lines for David McCleary of Merrymac and charged half a 
Dollar unjod and he paid me haK a Dollar for his part of the ■writing about 
his father in laws Estate and I came by McGaws and got 4 £ of Shugar 
for which I paid him 16/ Bay old Tenor 

2"^ I writ a Deed from W" Godfrey to james McGregore I charged 2/ 
LaAvfull uupd and I went in the afternoon to Col: Goffes and Writ several 
Depositions for Ceazar Barron on acct of what his Master said ou his Death 
bed concerning his freedom and Col: Goffe and I took them in perpetuam 
and Ceazar mentioned he would pay me for my trouble and I took the ac- 
knowledgement of a Deed from Col: Gofi'e to Ezek^ Stevens unpd 

3<i I with the other selectmen went out on New Boston Road and Altered 
Several places in it & made a New Division of it and I took Samuell Mor- 
risons Invoice and I cut a W^alniit Stick for Rake bows 

4 & 5"' I did no great I shaved some Staves for a tub and pails and 
Sunned Rie and took 2 bushell of Rie and 2 Indian corn to Lieut Daniel 
Moors Mill 

6"' I Divided the boards witli Goffe that he sawed forme this last spring 
I have 211 boards in No and I gave Daniell McFarland Notification to 
Tho" English to hear some Evidences swore at Capt Karrs on the 13th In- 
stant at two of the Clock afternoon and I lent my bror Betty a pistereen 
and sent another with her mother to Derry for two Milk pans 



270 MATTHEW patten's DIAHr. 

8"^ John and. I went and measured the boards that I had of my part at 
the mill I had 3930 feet Mill Measure and we got two Stocks and a half 
more that measured 748 feet that I took makes 4678 feet in all and I let 
Tho>* Newman have 2080 feet of them and We Sticked up 1300 feet for my 
own Use and We found about Rope to go on one side of the flynet Martain 
found the nett and the Rest of the rope and I found about 12 corks and a 
number of leads to put on his part of y*^ Ropes and we hauled but got 
nothing 

9"^ I went and Run the lines of the lott that Ann Kennody bot from 
John Clark I charge 4/ La: Mo: unpaid 

] 0*'' I went to Amherst to Vendue Daniell McMurphys place in Hills- 
borough but there was no person appeared to purchas and there was no 
Vendue and I got 3 copers worth of snuff from John Wilkins and left that 
at about Midnight and came home and brot 4 bushell of Meal from Lieut 
Daniell Moors Mill the Grain was taken tliere last week and John and 
Stephen French for Martain catched 3 Salmon the weighed we supposed 
about 30 weight Martain had 3 or 4 pound more than I had 

11"^ I Sunned 4 bushell of Rie and shaved some Bottoms for pails 

12*^^ I writ a Summons and a Notification for Major Goffe to take some 
affidavits in his son Sam'' case on Next Wednesday at Col: Goff'es at 10 
o Clock 

13"' I went to Capt Karrs to take Depositions for Alexander Gillcrist 
and Daniel McFarland and finished about midnight and came home and 
Esqr Walker assisted and Swore me in their case concerning Thomas 
English offering me a pistereen when I was going to take Depositions for 
McFarland and Gillcrist last May 

IS''' I went to Fishing in the Morning and Martain and French hald 
before I went and catched two Salmon I had % of one of them and INIar- 
tain had 1% which with what he had more than me this year before 
makes him up even with what I had more than him last year and we got 
one in the Evening that weighed V2'^2 £ ^^^^ I ^^^ it 

17"' I went at Matthew McDiiffies Desire and Measured 33 acres off the 
North side of Sam" Turrils land to Satisfie an Execution to David Mc- 
Cleary of 19-15-6 and 14 acres to sd McDuffie to satisfie an Execution to 
him of 8-5-11 John Holland attended as the Sheriff the Apprizers were 
Rob* Walker james Little and Sam" Vose the Sheriff told me that Mr 
Atherton is to pay me And I went about Dusk to Col : Goffes and DraAved 
3 Depositions for Major Goffe in his son Samuells case and got home at 
day brake unpd 

18"' in the forenoon I writ the Caption on the Majors Depositions that I 
took last night and on the Depositions I took for Daniell McFarland last 
Saterday and I went in the afternoon to Ann Kennedys and took her ac- 
knowledgement to a Quit Claim to her fathers Estate to her bror Sam" for 
which he gave me a pistereen and I went and Vendued james Moors place 
that he had from his bror in law David McCleary and I too took the ac- 
knowledgement of a Deed for Sam" Gibson junr for which he gave me a 
pistereen and would not have any change 

19"' I coppyd the Depositions I took for Major for him and Delivered 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 271 

the Depositions and. the ooppys to Sani^i Goffe and my Ijror Samnells Affi- 
deavit and Caption which I took yesterday for the Majr all iinpd 

20tii I -went to Goft'es town after my Oxen but did not get them and I 
went to Capt Karr.s and got my penknif that I left there on the 13th when 
I was takeing Depositions for Alex'' Gillcrist and Daniell McFarland and 
I had lo a Mug of Tody on C"" and my wife went to Pinkertons and paid 
five Dollars for severall articles 

as*! I went after my Oxen to Goffes town and got them home about Sun 
down after a very gi-eat fateague and Martain and I got a Salmon and he 
di^dded it in halves and John and janiey began to Mow in the Meadow at 
home and I got a Sett of breaking plow irons from Tho" Newman that 
weighed 46 £ John Gillmor made them on Newmans acct and the boys 
began to Mow in the Meadow at home being y^ first 

2^'^ I tried to plow but the gi-ouud was so dry that I could not and New- 
man altered the point of my plow shear 

24"» I fitted up six Rakes for myself and I put two new head on to old 
Stalls of John Thomas for him 

25"^ I began to make pails and I James Moor and David McCleary came 
and I writ two note for the price of james place and james paid me a Dol- 
lar for my -wTiting the advertisments And Yeudueing his place and the 
notes today and I went to Widow Barrens at Moses desire and with Capt 
Walker and Mr Solomon Hutcheson began to apprize Capt Barrons 
Estate 

26''^ Stephen French and I got two salmon Martain had one that 
weighed 13X £ and I got the other that weighed 9 £ and 15 ounces and I 
worked at makeing pails 

27"' I workt and pails and finished 4 two large ones and two small ones 
all but the beals 

29"' Martain got a Salmon that weighed 1 1 £ which made him up with 
what I was ahead of him and I began a small tub 

30"' finished the tub allmost 

3P' I finished the tub and was hindered the most part of the day and 
Martain and I got a Salmon that weighed 11 pound and we divided it 

AUGUST FIRST 

Split and Shaved some Hoops for a Washing tub 

2'i I attended the funeral of William White junrs Wife who Departed 
this life yesterday morning about Sun Rise she was brot to bed the middle 
of last week of a Daughter 

ii'^ the boys began to Reap in the feild by my brors they Reaped five 
stook 

5"' and 6"' the boys and I Reaped in the field by my brors and finished 
it we have 24 stooks in this year and we Reaped 7 Sheaves above the Barn 

7*'' we Carted in the Rie out of the field by my brors and we Reaped 7 
stooks and 10 sheaves and it came on a Smart Rain that prevented oui- 
working the Afternoon on the 5"' Susannah went to Meins and Got ^o a £ 
of Tea and a Gallon of Rum and sonu^ otlier articles that she paid a Dollar 
of mv monev and almost a Dollar of her own 



272 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

j^th i^Q finished Reaping our Rie we had 19lh stocks in the field by the 
bam and we have 43^ stooks of Rie in all this year and Martain and I got 
a Salmon that weighed upwards of 26 £ by hauling on the oiitside of Goffe 
and McLaughlin and we borrowed a salmon from them that weighed 8}4 
£ and gave it to James Patterson 

9"i I spent the day in fitting the fly nett I took it off the Ropes and 
turned a new peiee into the Middle and tyed it on again and the boys 
finished Reaping our Winter Wheat which was very much blasted we 
had stook 

10"^ I podgered at Some trifling things 

12"i I began to Mow in the little meadow I began in the Governor lott 
and Deacon Moor came and Mowed in it with me he forbid me and I for- 
bid him and we cutt 4 or 5 cocks on it 

IS^^ We raked it together and got off the hay 

16*'i my brors Samuell & John mowed with us at the little Meadow and 
W'" Caldwell mowed with us in the afternoon and my jamey and Bob 
Raked for him the afternoon for it 

17th ^^Q Raked up 64 cocks of what we mowed yesterday 

19*'^ Matthew Little sent Bob Morrow to help us and we finished mow- 
ing all but some pickings among the bushes in the Governor lott and 
Raked 22 cocks of what was Mowed the 16th on the 13th Lieut Daniel 
Moor sent me about 3 jills of Rum and on the 14th jamey went to Means 
and got l^o Gallon of Riim 

20"^ I brot home a load of Hay from the Meadow being the first I carted 
home this year and John Thrashed at our peas 

21'^' hauled home two load of hay 

22^ 23'i & 24'h William Caldwell hauld hay for me with his 4 oxen and 
Cart he hauld 7 load in the 3 days he hauld 84 cocks and I hauled 69 cocks 
these 3 days with my oxen and horse my near ox proved lame the last day 
and half in his off fore foot he was Exceeding lame so that he could scarce 
move the night and day following and Inclined to ly constantly the hay 
we got home finished all exceept 10 cocks and the pickings among the 
biishes in the Governor lott which is yet to mow 

2Qth I -went and see janies Pattersons Calves but did not come to any 
agreement 

27th 28"! and 29"^ was at Londonderry at Robert Mack and Alex' Mc- 
AUesters Referance about their land old Mrs McAllester sent a Check 
linen haudkercheif a present to my wife and in the afternoon as I was 
coming home I was swore at Col : Goffes before him for Rob* Smith in 
his case with Rob' Fulton and I attended at the Col : on Dartmouth meet- 
ing but did no business at the meeting 

30"> I got two bushell of Rie ground at Col Goffes mill 

SEPTEMBER 2d 

was a town meeting to chuse a jureyman and we chose Robert Walker 
a Grand jureyman and we Drawed John Bells name to serve as petit jury 
man at the Superioui' on the 2'' Tuesday of this Instant at Amherst being 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 273 

the first jiu-ey mau we ever sent to any Court and is tlie first Court in the 
County since the Province was Di\'ided into Countys 

3'' I Drawed a long acct for William Nutt on his mothers Estate I 
charged 1/6 La : Mo : unpaid and I went and Run the line between Sam" 
and James Vose in their formerly Dispute I charged them half a Dollar 
and each of theru promised to pay me in equal halves and I came home by 
Thomas Boies and he paid me a Dollar and 4/8- La : Mo : I alowed him for 
6 £ of pork my -wife had from his wife in the year 1766 which with the 
Dollar I Reed made ballauce of my order on him as a Constable over and 
above my Rates which was Discounted in my order being 1-6-8 La : Mo : 

4th I -^vrit a long warttee Deed and a quit claim of Tho* Miu-doughs 
Inheritance to Hugh Orr and I sent John to Means and he got >^ £ of tea 
4 £ shugar and 3 qt of Rum for which he paid the dollar I got of Tho^ 
Boies yesterday 

5tii gth aud 7"' the other 2 Selectmen met at my house and we worked 
at makeing the Rates but did not finish 

9"^ John Aiken came in the morning and he and I finished and then I 
went \^ath Lieut John Little and run Round the 3"^ Division No 123 and I 
Run on the north side of George Hadleys home lotts and the East line of 
Littles was half Hadleys what I did for hadley cleared what I was behind 
on acct of a bushell of Corn I had from him last faul and littles part is 
unpd And he promised me his Right in the new Setting place and I 
agreed to have it but we made no price 

10'^ I butchered our Coss sheep and was hindered almost all or quit the 
forenoon with companey 

11th -^Q got out the last of our Indian corn we have two bushell and 
about X 

12th 13th ^ 14th I -^yas apprizeing Capt Barrons Estate 

16"^ John Gillmor sett the shoes on my Horses fore feet and I went and 
Run the lines of No 9 in the 5"^ Rang on the south side of Piscataquog 
River for him 

17"^ & 18"* and 19"* I workt at makeing my breaking up plow 

20'^ My Jamey & bob brot the steer and heifer calf from Jamey Pat- 
terson and I finished makeing the wood work of my plow 

21'*' Thomas Ne^vman made 13 £ of plates of his Iron for my plow one 
was an old Toe Iron and he made poles in some old Cart Grips and old 
hoes of mine and 75 nails he charged a Dollar 

23'' I had jamey Vose and his Oxen and My Bror Sam'' four oxen and 
Widow BaiTons old Oxen helping me to break up we were hindered with 
the plow and the Ground was dry so that we could not plow we did not 
go over more than }4 an acre and was a Town meeting to chuse a Grand 
jury man for the Session and petit juxor and 2 petit jurors for the lufer- 
iour Court in October next and I was hindred near half the day with that 
affair 

24"' I writ a Deed for pope Thomas Karr to Capt Karr of his place 
which Capt Karr is to pay as he says and Alex' Stewart came to our house 
in the Evening to make shoes 
18 



274 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

26th 27*11 I did no great of business but made some heels the 27 I helped 
Newman to new model my new plow shear 

38'^ I went to Moses Barrons in Amherst to prize at some of the per- 
sonal Estate of his fathers and Alex'^ Stewarts went home he has made 
four pair since he came to work this week 

30*'' I went and got my plough irons fitted off and the boys got in corn 

OCTOBER 

1^' we all husket 20 baskets of corn 

2<^ Susanna went to Hugh Greggs in New boston to Weave a piece of 
cloath for our selves and .John went with her and the other boys and I 
husked out the Remainder of what corn we got in on last monday 

3<i -we got in the last of our corn 

4 and 5*'^ we finished Husking our Corn we had 99 of our baskgts full 
this year I suppose 3 baskets full will make 2 bushel 

7th I went to Amoskieg and Veiwed aboiit fixing to Set a salmon pot and 
the boys began to Dig potatoes and my Wife went to Thomas Wallaces 
and got a bushel of Onions from him on Credit and she went Meius and 
got X of tea four or five needles and a little snuff in all to the amount of 
3^ of a Dollar and she paid the money 

on the fourth I got a hind quarter of my bror Sam^i Bull it weighed £ on 
credit and W" Barnett Gelded two boar pigs and a Calf for me 



and on the 1st or 2'^ I writ two pair of indentures for John Bell of his chil- 
der Jennie Conn had by him the charge 4/ to be settled in our acct 

from the 7th to the 12th no Great of business on I put a New Mould bord 
on my Brealdng up plow and John split Indian hills and Thomas Ne^vman 
finished fitting my breaking iip plow ii'ons 

14"! I spent the day on the forge mens acct with Capt Chamberlin try- 
ing to Settle their Diferance but could not Martain and Newman is to pay 
me a Dollar for my day and Goff & McLaughlin paid Capt Chamberlin 

15"^ I had William Barnett and his oxen and John McLaughlins Majr 
Goffs Zachariah Chandlers and Mrs Barrons oxen helping me break up 
and my jamey Dig potatoes for William Barnett 

Igth -^y^m Barnett came with his oxen but Zachariah Chandler would 
have his oxen and Disappointed us that we could not break up and jamey 
Dig potatoes for W'" Barnett 

17"' I had William Barnett and his oxen and James Voses John Mc- 
Laughlins James Martains and Mrs Barrons oxen breaking up 

18*'' had W" Barnett and his oxen and James Voses John McLaughlins 
Tho^ McLaughlins and Widow Barrons oxen breaking up 

19"' I had James Voses Thomas McLaughlins Matthew Littles James 
Martains and widow Barrons oxen breaking up 

21^* I had W'" Barnett and his oxen and james Vose and Matthew Littles 
Tho* McLaughlins and one pair of my bror Sam'^^ oxen helping me break 
up 

22<* We got out 4 bushell and about 10 or 12 quarts of corn and I went 
to Lieut Moors mill with it but did not get it Groimd 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 275 

23'' I went to mill aud got 2 busliell grouud of what I took to mill yes- 
terday 

24 & 25 & 26* we Diged our potatoes and finished them and in these 
days we finished Spliting our Indian hills and and on the 24th I lent my 
horse to Sam" McFarland to Londonderry he Did not Return untill the 
26tli at night he brot ns a bottle of Sniiff from John Pinkerton on Credit 
Mr Hepper came to make up a Suit of Cloths for John on the 24th 

28"' I butchered a lamb a smal one 

29"^ I went to job Dows to Mill and took two bushell of Indian and \% 
bushel of Rie and got them Ground and the Rie I got bolted is the first 
Rie I got ground of this years Crop and makes ten bushell of new Indian 
there is two of the ten lys at Lieut Moors MiU ungroiind for want of 
water 

30"' I sent a line to job Dow to pay my bror Sam" some money and I 
cleaned up 1% bushell of Barley and I went to Means and got 4 £ of Shu- 
gar aud lo £ of Tea on credit 

3pt I went to job Dows to Run Round the land I sold in Goffestown last 
faul and I took 2 bushell of Corn with me and lodged there that night 

* NOVEMBER FIRST 

I run at the lines of the land 

2^1 I finished about 11 o Clock and then I planed the River through the 
land and Esqr Dow pd me 30 Dollars aud job paid me 30 V3 which with five 
Dollars he paid my bror on the 30th ult made his part he was to pay me at 
this payment and I got the corn Ground and came home at night 

4"^ my wife let my brors Wife have a Dollar and I bot a bushell of Salt 
from Hugh Orr and paid him 30/ Bay old Tenor for it 

S"* I paid Stephen French 3/1 bay old Tenor for a musquash Skin I had 
from him last spring 

6 '' I sent Tho' Wallace four pistereans by Susey for a bushell of Onions 
I had from him the 7th of last Octr 

7"' I paid Math'*" Little two Dollars on a note and a pistereen of Intrest 
the Intrest came to near about % ot & Dollar but he would take no more 

8"' I broke up and had Benj" McAllester and his fathers 4 Oxen and 
John McAllasters oxen and my brors 4 oxen 

9*'' I had Benj McAllester and his fathers 4 oxen and John McAUaster 
and Mr Turrills and Widow Barrens oxen helping me break iip and we 
finished aud I gave Benj two pistereens to himself 

11"' I took two bushell of corn and two of Rie to Lieut Moors Mill and 
got them Ground and went to Hugh Ramsays and fitted his horse Cart 

12"' I set out for Boston and got to Billerica and lodged at Pollards 

16"' I got a Side of Sole leather from Pollard on Credit it weighed 14 £ 
but he cliarged only 13,^4 at 8/ pr £ came to o-lO-O bay old Tenor I bot 
1-7-0 bay old Tenor worth of things at Gordons on Credit And I bot at 
Boston a number of article that and my Expenses amounted to 83-4-4 Bay 
Old Tenor aud I Droped a Dollar of the Money I took with me but does 
not know where 

18"' I paid my brors Wife 1-8-0 bay old Tenor she sent 5 £ and ounces 



276 JNIxVTTHEW patten's DIARY. 

of butter with me I sold it at 5/ pr £ it came to 1-6-0 so that I paid her 
)^ bay old Tenor over it happened so in the change 

IQ^i^ I butchered the Ox I had from mybror Samuell he weighed 469 £ of 
beaf and 81 of a hide and 26i'2 £ of Tallow I had the choice to take him at 
18 Dollars or the beaf at le/g pence per £ and the hide and Tallow at 18 
pence pr £ and we butchered one of our Sows she weighed 170 £ and W" 
Barnett Butchered for me and John went after we Dressed them and got 
pine for Barnett the Rest of the Day 

20"' I took home Hugh Ramsays horse Cart and near four pound of 
sheeps Wool she sent 7 £ and 10 Ounces of Butter with me to Boston for 
it which brot 1-18-1 % Bay old Tenor & while I was gone to Boston last 
week my oxen worked two days for Thomas McLaughlin 

21^' WAS THE GENERAL THANKSGIVEING 

22*1 I "vveut to McKinneys about the Road on the North side of his land 
and came home by Wylies to speak to jenny to come and Spin Wool at om- 
house 

23*1 I paid my bror Sam" 18 Dollars for the Ox I had from him the 19th 
and I went to Lieut Daniel Moors mill and took 3 bushel of Indian corn 
and I had the toal and John helped janies Martain 

25*'' John and jamey worked at the bridge by Ma'jr Goff es and I spent 
the day with Capt Walker at Widow Barrons to apprize the Estate but 
Mr Hutchesou did not come and Alex'^ Stewart and Eliphalet Duston 
came to our house to make shoes 

on the 23d I gave Jonathan Lyon a biishell of corn for a horse Collar I 
had from him three or four year ago or more and I gave him near a peck 
for an old horse collar I had from him tlie same year I had the new one 
from him 

26"' I with Capt Walker and Mr Hutcheson was appriseing Capt Bar- 
rons lands 

27*'^ was foul weather 

29"' we were on the same business of apprizeing and we lay at Moses 
Barrons 

30"' was foul Weather and we came home 

DECEMBER 

2(1 3d 4th and half of the 5th was on the business of apprizeing Capt Bar- 
rons Estate and finished his land 

6*'' was a Storm of snow it fell 5 or 6 inches Deep and I worked all day 
from breakfast till night a Drawing the Inventory of Capt Barrons Estate 
but did not light candle at it 

7"' a pleasant day and the boys got wood 

8"' Capt Walker and I attended at Widow Barrons in order to Draw 
Capt Barrons Inventory biit Mr 

(Several more pages of manuscript missing.) 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 277 



A DAYBOOK CONTINUED FROM J ANY 9th 1772 

13"' I seut to Lieut Moors Mill and got 1>^ bushell of Rie Ground and I 
had the toal 

17"* I had my brors Martaius and Thomas McLaughlins oxen and 
Drawed timber and Mr Timothy Favoui- came and paid me 35% Dollars 
on his Note 

18"^ I sent 4 bushell of corn to Lieut Moors mill and I had the Toal and 
Jacob Hepper finished makeing jacoats for the boys &c and I paid him all 
that I owed him being 8-14-6 Bay old Tenor and o and six pence over 

29th I -vYent to Amherst and Col Goffe and Major Hobart Qualified on 
a justice of the Peace and I gave them a Dollar and another to the Clerk 
and sit in the Sessions 

30"^ & 31^' Sat in the Sessions 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

my expences vras 4/ Lawful Mo and I got a quart of Brandy from Laud- 
lord Hildreth for which I pd 12/6 bay old Tenor I keept at Hildreths and 

1 came home 

On the 25th of Janr John went to Derry and paid John Pinkerton for 
things he got there and a bottle of snufif Sam^^ McFarlaud brot me last 
faull 3 and two-thii'ds Dollars or thereabouts 

3*1 jeny Wiley went home she has been her 4)^ weeks her wages came 
to 11/3 La : Mo : and I pd her 10/ of it 

4^'^ I sent 3 Dollars by John MacMurphy to Capt Shirley and I and Capt 
Walker and Mr Hutchison finished apprizeing Capt Barrons Estate and 
Returned the Inventory to the judge 

6"' I had my brors Matthew Littles Tho^ McLaughlins Martaius and 
my brors odd ox and Zachs and hald a large Stem post stick to the River 
my bror liad my oxen in the forenoon 

On the 29tli of January John Workt for Martain 

30*'' John and my oxen worked for Martain 

8"' I had John McLaughlin and Martains oxen and we hauld 3 sticks 
that had 4 3^ tun in them 

lO'h I writ a deed from William McDugal to Samuell Vose of his place 
in Goffestown I charged 2/ for the Deed and acknowledgement each to 
pay a shilling both unpaid and we haled home 5 load of wood 

11th I got my broad ax upsett by John Jameson and we butchered our 

2 i)igs one weighed 120 and the other weighed 150 

12*'' & 13"! Exceeding cold in these two days we hewed a stick and 
haled 2 to the crotch of the paths with our own oxen 

W^ fell a snow of four inches deep and John Jameson new tempered 
my broad ax and I went to Hugh Moc^rs for my Wifes Wheel tliat was 
there to be mended he made a new Rim and Standards and hub and 



'A t O MATTHEW PATTEN S DIAEY. 

spools temper pinn and foot and charged 8-16-0 Hamp old Tenor he 
abated the 15/ and I pd him a Dollar and I owe him 40/ old Teuor yet for 
want of makeiug change 

15"^ I borrowed 2 bushell of Rie from my bror Sam" and sent it and 
2 bushell of my own corn to Lieut Moors mill and I had the Toal there 
fell a snow of 4 or 5 inches deep this day 

18"^ I had Martains Oxen and we hauled 3 sticks to the River they had 
3}4 Tun 

19th I -vp-ent to the Sessions in Amherst Lodged at Hildreths 

20"^ Attended the Sessions and I bot a gallon of Molasses from Bald- 
mck and paid him 15/ for it and I got 3 Quire of Paper and a Quart of 
Brandy and 1/10 worth of Snuff from Cutler for which I paid him -i^ Bay 
old Tenor I was 27/ of Expences at Smiths and 25/ at Hildreths what 
I laid out for things and Expences at Amherst this time is 5-8-4 Bay old 
Tenor and it came on a Rain and Capt Walker and I came to Capt Allds 
and lodged over Night 

21^' I came home and Esqr Blodget and I spent the afternoon at my 
house 

22'! I went to John Bells and had a mug of flipp and paid him for it 
and what I owed him besides for shugar and 6 £ and 10 ozs of potash and 
I sett up an Advertisment at his house for a proprietors meeting of Soii- 
hegan-East to be held at Col Goffes next Fryday at ten o Clock forenoon 
and I went to Meins and pd him 15/ bay old Tenor for an oz of Sinemon 
that I had from him on Credit and I got a pound of Tea a 36/ and 4 £ of 
Shugar a 16/ and a paper of ink powder a 6/ and ' 3 worth of snuff from 
him & and paid him the money for them all and I set up another adver- 
tisment for the proprs meeting 

24'^ I went to Col Goffes and Drawed a Transcript of the common in 
Goffes town at Catemount brook to John Wentworth Esqr Right charged 
6/ unpd 

25*1^ I Recorded the transcript of the laud to Mr Wentworths Right and 
Recorded at the town accts and Drawed my acct agt the town a hard 
Snow and Hale storm from the North East 

26"^ John went to Lieut Moors mill with 2 bushell of Indian corn & 2 
of Rie the Rie was toled & I had the toal of the corn 

27'ii the boys finished thrashing our wheat and I went and brot home 
a little wood 

28*'^ I had my brors oxen and we took the Stick to the River of 44 feet 
it was 38 feet long and 1 went to Col Goffes to a proprs Meeting of this 
town we did nothing but chose my bror Moderator and adjom-ued the 
meeting to the 18th of March next at John Orrs at ten of the Clock in the 
forenoon 

29*"^ the boys cut the fenceing stuff on the cleared land above the house 

and Mr Hepper went home at the middle of the day he has been here 5}4 

daj's 

MARCH FIRST 

being sabathday I heard Mr Ward of Plymouth preach at Col Goffes 
2<i I met the other selectmen at Deacon Walkers and we examined 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 279 

Joseph Scobey aud james Caldwell ou their Collections of Rates aud they 
gave their note for the ballaiice in their hands and we Examined Tho** 
Boies on his collection and he pd us an 8 Dollar peice of gold and and Mr 
Caldwell pd ns in Silver and Coppers 2-6-2 La : Mo : and the money and 
Notes we left in Deacon Walkers hands and we finished drawing the 
March meeting Wart and I staid at the Deacons over night and we Gave 
Ml* Houston his order for 36-18-5-3 Lawful 

3*1 AVe Drawed of who were Voters & our o^vn orders and Aiken aud I 
came off after Dinner and John aud the oxen helped Martain to Draw 
logs to the River 

4'h I went and the boys and helped to Rais the Forge anew 

gtii There fell the Deepest Snow that fell this Winter att one times fall- 
ing it was a foot deep 

6^'* was a very high mud aud I broke a path from Martians to the wood 
and home 

7'h the boys and I got home five load of wood aud Mr Heper made a pair 
of Breeches for jamey 

9**^ Mr Heper went away after mending the button holes of my new 
coat snowed this day 

IQtii I went to Robf^ Alexanders and gave him 7}{ Dollars for Rie and I 
got 4 bushell of it and james Piper brot it on his sled to Lieut Moors mill 
and I had the Toal and I had 4 Darning nedles and a jill of Rum from 
Means for which I paid him 4 Coppers 

11"^ A heavy Storm of snow from the N : E : 

12''' I fitted some at makeing a Washing tub and I Drawed a Complaint 
and Warrant from William Arro^vin against Fetter Currier for his abuse- 
ing his Wife & 3 subpeuas charged 3/ 4io unpaid 

14th I -went to John Bells and held the Court between W" Arrowin and 
Peter Currier and I adjourned the Court untill the first day of next April 
at one of the Clock in the afternoon 

16*'* I finished makeing a Washing Tub for our Selves I made it Sett 
work and I got Stuff for one of the hoops from my bror Sam'i 

17"' I fited some staves and a bottom for a small tubb of Cedar 

18"^ I went to John Orrs to the proprietors meeting of this town by 
adjournment from Col Goft'es and no propr attending only my bror who 
was Moderator and John Bell we adjourned the meeting farther to the 
25'^ Instant to John Bells at five o Clock afternoon and I paid John Bell 
4/1 bay old Tenor for a bowle of tody 

20"' was a N : E : Storm of Snow and blowed very hard and I went to 
james Pattersons and began to Draw his mother and his sister Esthers 
Depositions concerning Mr Houston and james and Tarried over night 

21"' I workt all day and got it finished a while before night and I got 
a quart of Rum from John Bell for which I pd him }4 ^ pistereen and he 
says I owe him a Copper yet of it 

23'^ I borrowed 4 meal bags from my bror and I went to Rob' Alexanders 
and I got 173^ bushell of Rie filled into bags I borrowed two from him 
and I brot 4)^ bushell in my own bags to Lieut Moors Mill and got it 
Ground aud I had the Toal and came horn after night very bad traviling 
and I was very much tired 



280 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

24"^ I hewed the oake stick that we fell by where Currier layed his logs 
there is 54 feet iu it aud John weut to Alexanders and got 4 biishell of Rie 
and Lieut Moors team brot it aud 13 bushell I left there yesterday in 6 
bags to his mill aud John brot home 4 bushel of it iu meal in carrieing the 
grain from Alexanders to the mill one of my brors bags got tore by a little 
pine by the side of the path that we lost 4 or 5 Quarts of Rie 

SS*"^ I went to James Pattersons and Colonel Goffe came there and he 
and I took old Mrs Pattersons and Esthers Depositions that I Drawed last 
Fryday aud Saterday iu perpetuam aud I went from there to the Meeting 
house to the March meeting and was chose Clerk and first Selectmen 
and after the town meeting I weut to John Bells to the proprietors meeting 
Meeting of this town and after that was over I came home aud John weut 
to Lieut Moors and brot home 4 bushell of Meal of the Rie I had from 
Alexander 

26tii I Went and took the most of the Invoice on the River rang 

27th I went to Col Goffes aud janies Vose to Draw a lease of the privi- 
lege of building a Saw mill on the School lotts with Jacob McQuead and 
John Orr and we made a Draft of the lease our Expeuces att the Col is 
charge"! to the proprietors and johu got home the last of the rie I had from 
Robert Alexander this week and 1^ bushell of our own I have had 21)^ 
bushell of Rie from Alexander this week seven bushell I pd him for the 
10th Instant and I owe him yet for 14^^ bushell I have had 25I2 bushell 
from him iu all 1 1 bushell of which I paid him the 10th Instant and I have 
had the Toal of it all from Lieut Daniel Moor 

28"^ the boys split some pine wood aud I workt at pails and my bror 
Saui'i and Major Goffe Maclaughlin and Newman aud I hired one Mr 
Stillman for a mouth to keep school and Martaiu joins the wages to be the 
same of Mr Sands 

30th I workt at pails and the childer went to school to the amount of 5 
scholars the whole day 

31**' I had 6 at school all day aud I weut to nu- Joseph Dows and got 1}^ 
bushell of Salt towards what he owes me aud I took part of the Invoice on 
the baruetts and Wallaces row and Sam" Voses 

APRIL 1st 

I weut to John Bells and gave judgement iu AiTowius and Peter Cur- 
riers case I gave it iu Curriers favour aud I alowed him 6/9 coasts and I 
had my brors 4 oxen and a pau- of major Goffes and a pair of Martaius aud 
my brors Samuell aud John and him hauld an Oak stick to the River of 
54 feet iu it It was 41 1.< feet long 

21 WAS THE GENERAL FAST THROUGHOUT THE PROV- 
INCE 

3«i to Drawing the lease to Jacob McQuead of the privilege of building a 
Saw mill on the School lott and Quit claims from them of said lotts 
charged 4/ 

4"' John Workt for Mr Martaiu and I sett up two pails aud then I went 
to Mr Caldwells aud Mrs Caldwell gave me 3 £ and 6 ounces of flax aud 
young Mrs Caldwell gave me 4 £ 10 ounces aud W" Caldwell sold me G% 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 281 

of flax and I did uot pay hiui for it and Master Stillmau caiue to board at 
our house 

7"^ Col Goffe and james Vose and I met at my brors with Jacob Mc- 
Qiiead and we signed the lease to them the privilege of building a mill on 
the School lotts 

gth J went to Means and a pound of Tea from Mr Alexanders wife of his 
for which I pd her 4 pistereens and I got half a bushell of white Beans 
from Moses Vickere of which I pd him a pistereen by Running Lines in 
the Great Meadow in the year 1770 

9^^ I went to Amherst to the Sessions an exceeding heavey Storm of 
Rain from the N : E : 

10* to attending the Sessions and sett out and came to Lovejoys and 
lodged there over Night the brooks was very high 

11'^ I swore Hugh Ross to his acct book for which Love joy gave me a 
pistereen my Expences to and at Amherst this journey was 7/ La^vful and 
came home about one or two o Clock 

13''^ I got John Jamison to make a shoe for my ox brooken hoaf and pair 
of New shoes for my horses fore feet and Nails to Set the horses shoes and 
he began to mend an andiron that was broke that has lain there several 
months but did not finish it and james Moor came to Give his Invoice to 
me to be Rated in Bedford 

14th I -vveut to Alexanders and I got two bushell of Rie from his Wife of 
the Quantity I am to have of him and I got a horse Collar from Means on 
Credit 

15'^ I sowed some peas maybe aboiit 3 pecks 

16"^ a Considerable Rain 

17*^ I set out to go to Hails town on acct of a Number of men that 
Resqued a prisioner from the High Sheriff on last Wednesday morning 
and Abuseing the Sheriff and exiting one of his horses Ears off the 
Malitia was Raised and Sent up they went up yesterday and I went 
within a few Rods of John Smiths in Goffestown and I met the high 
Sheriff & a number more comeing home and I turned about and came 
home and John Jameson set the shoes on my horses fore feet that he made 
the 13th Instant and I writ seven letters at the desire of the high Sheriff 
to several persons or 9 of them in Goffestown on acct of the foreging Dis- 
turbance this week 

18**^ I went to Deacon Walkers and took vrith me a bushell and near 3 
quarts of Winter Rie with me and got it changed for Spring Rie and he 
let me have a bushell more than I am to carrie him the Winter Rie for it 
and I brot it home and Sowed it and I went to Means and I got }4 a Gallon 
of West India Rum and two Coppers woth of snuff for which I paid him 
15/9 Bay old Tenor 

20"^ A Storm of Snow and Hail from the N : E : and I got two hnks shut 
in one side of the horse Tresses and one in a Draft chain 

2pt I went to Macgregores Shop in Goffestown and I got 4 £ of Shugar 
for which I paid two pistereens and jolin took a Stick to Major Goffes 
sawmill 10 feet long and got it sawed into boards to make Salmon pots 
and Split a peice that came of the End of it to make two sides for a har- 
row 



282 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

22<i johu weut and paid Deacon Walker the biishell of Rie that I had 
from him the 18th Instant and got another bnshel changed -with him and 
2 bushell changed with james Aiken 

23'^ I finished makeing a harrow for myself 

24*"^ Majr Goffe and my bror Sam" and I Measiu-ed what plank I had at 
the mouth of the brook there was 395 feet of them and Nath" Clark came 
and paid me Iv;^ Dollars toward his note and I went to W'" Niitts and 
left with Daughter for my part of Twine on W" Morrows Right in the 
scene one Dollar and a pistereen 

26"^ I sowed about 1% bushell of Rie and then I Went to the bridge by 
Majr Goffes to work at it and got disniist in the afternoon to help my bror 
Sam^i to roll in his timber at the Col Ferry and I settled with Majr Goffe 
for his sawing for me plank and boards and he still has the plank at the 
nioutli of the brook that we Measured yesterday and then he fell in Debt 
to me the sawing of 1970 feet of boards in which was Reckoned 500 feet 
of boards that the Majr was to pay me on John Clogstons acct 

27tii I worked at the highway by Zech Chandlers and John went to Tho^ 
Boies and got 3 pecks of spring Rie for Winter Rie 

28"* I finished sowing the field before the house I sowed near 6 bushell 
on it and Will™ Nutt came and Informed me that the partners in his 
scene would not buy the Twine but would make it themselves and he brot 
me 8 pound of flax from Derry cost 4 pistereens and he Retiu-ned me two 
pistereens of the money I left at his house the 24th to biiy the Twine and 
I went to his house and got the 8 £ of flax and I weut to Rob*^ Alexander 
and I paid him seven Dollars toward the Rie I had from him and I got a 
loaf of Shugar from Means of 9 £ 10 ounces weight at 7/ Bay old Tenor pr 
£ on credit it came to 3-7-4 Bay old Tenor and I got two coppers worth of 
snuff for which I paid the money 

29th I "vvrit a letter to oui* school master and I %VTit two Deeds for our 
james Patterson one to Thomas Maclaughlin and the other to David Moor 
and I took the acknowledgements and We Settled with our School master 
and I paid my bror Samii** part and mine they both came to 13/ Lawful I 
sent 128 days and Sam" sent 65 days 

30th J with the other Selectmen went to lay out a Road to Amherst and 
lodged at Hugh Orrs 

MAY FIRST 

We finished laying out the Road and a peice of another (viz) from Mur- 
doiighs by John Aikens as far as beyond the little meadow place on Mac- 
dugal meadow branch of the brook 

2*1 I went to Londonderry and paid Alexander Stewart b% Dollars for 
his makeing 18 pair of shoes for me last faul and I Retiu'ned him a pair of 
thick Calf skin punis he made for myself but they did not Suit me for 
which he is to make me a pair of his own leather and bring them to me 
next week 

4"* was our march meeting by adjournment which I attended 

5"* John Dinsmore made me a pair of thick Shoes he owed me 39/ 
Hampr old tenor towards the makeing of them I borrowed the sole Stuff 
of my bror Sam" and David Moor paid me 10/ Bay old Tenor toward what 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 283 

he owes me aud I got a quart of Rum from Newman and half a mug of 
tody and I gave his wife the 8^^ of a Dollar and I began to knit at W'" 
Nutts twine 

6th ^ 7th I ijiiit at Nutts T-svine on the 7th David Moor brot me 8/ La : 
Mo : for two days attending the Sessions since I was Qualified 

8'h I sowed 3 pecks of flax seed that John got from Deacon Walker on 
the 6th Instant for which he paid 4/6 Lawful and on the 6th Mr Martain 
had bob aud my oxen and brealdng plow the forenoon helping him and I 
sowed some barley S : W : of the barn and I finished laiitting Nutts 
Tmne and Cast on my own Twine 

9"* I knit at my own Twine 

10"» Oiu- Tansey Cow Calved a Cow Calf we looked for her but did not 
find her 

11"^ we found her and her Calf and got them home in the morning 

12"^ I sold my timber to John Ford for 4 £ Bay old Tenor pr Tun there 
was 33 Tun and 26 feet I flung in the 26 feet and took his note for the 33 
Tun amounting to 132 £ Bay old Tenor the note was 17-12-0 Lawful and 
I went to Joseph Scobeys and Vendued for him Cattle and hoggs Hus- 
bandrey untensials &c we broke up about one o Clock in the morning and 
I came home that night 

13*'' I went and helped Mr. Ford and johu worked for Ford for which he 
pdus 

14th I ^^Tit William Baruets Deposition concerning Mr Houston and 
Arrowin and jamey Patterson and Swore him to it and I writ Joseph Dows 
junrs Deposition for his father Joseph Dow and Swore him to it and writ 
the Caption to go to Haverhill unpaid I charged 2/ La : Mo : 

lo"' I knit at my part of the Siene 

16"' I went to John Bells in the afternoon to hold a Court between james 
Patterson Complainant aud William Arrowin Respondent Col Goffe 
assisted me the affair was made up without a tryal and afterward james 
swore the peace against him and I drawed the Wart and the Constable 
took Arrowin and put him under keepers 

18"' I drawed a Petition for Alex' Gillcrest in favor of a Number of the 
Inhabitants of Goffstown to prefer to the General Court aud I writ a Deed 
for William McDugal which W" is to pay for me toward Drawing my 
petition and John Todd pd me 1/s for the acknowledgement and I sold a 
bushell of potatoes to Hugh McColley for which he paid me a pistereen I 
let james Martain have four bushell of potatoes and Stephen French two 
bushell unpd and we hung our Siene aud we catched 69 Shad and hung our 
net on a fast or we might have got more there was considerable Rain in 
the afternoon 

19"' I sowed about 13 or 14 Quarts of flaxseed in the Co^vyards and I 
gave Sanmell Currier an Execution agt William Arrowin came to two 
shillings unpaid and I went to Means and I got a pound of Tea for which 
I pd him 4 pistereens and I got 1^ bushell of Rie from Rob' Alexander 
being of the 30 bushell I agreed with him for and when I came home I 
swore the apprizer of the mare Capt Ladd impounded on the 14th Instant 
for which I had given a Wart the 16th Instant 



284 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

20'*! I writ 4 advertisemeuts for Capt Lad and charged 1/ for them I 
took his note for all I did about his pouudiug the mare ou the 14th Iiistaut 
came to 5/4 johu fished at the Scene and got 94 shad and 5 £ of Salmon 
and I paid Martaiu the 4 shad we borrowed from him last week 

21st s^Q gQ^; ^]2e fig}i home and Major Gotfe and I pitched my Caunoe a 
little with his pitch and put her into the River 

22<^ we fished at the Scene and the night following and got 27 shad and 
5>^ £ of Sallmon besides paying for Rum that we di-inked 

23'! Sam^i Wallace Brot me a bushell of Salt from John Pinkertons a }4 a 
Dollar pr bushell and I gave him a Dollar and he is to bring me another 
bushell next time he comes to the Scene 

25"^ johu fished at the Scene and got 235 he sold a string aud paid a 
string to Hugh Wall that Williaiu Morrow got from him on my acct aud 
jamey and I went to the Falls jamey got 9 and I got 12 I gave two for 
Cydar and two I gave Lieut Little and got home 16 aud I let William 
Karr have 3 bushell of potatoes to be paid in shad or money and I let Hugh 
McOolley have 6 quarts of seed corn 

26^'^ I let Hugh McColley have a bushell of potatoes and I got ^o ounce 
of snuft' aud a fine teeth Comb from McGregore for which I paid 23/ 
Hamp'' old Tenor aud John went to Mr Dows and got ^o a bushell of salt 
toward what he owes me and my jamey worked for Hugh McColey for 
which he promised to give me a string of shad 

27"' I writ a Deed from William Caldwell bror in law Andrew Craige 
to him aud took the acknowledgement took no pay but to be settled when 
we settle all our accts and we got 136 shad at the Scene 

28"* I went to the falls but got no fish I got ^o ounce of Snuff from Mr 
McGregore for which I paid /2 La : Mo : 

29"* I got a bushell of Rie from Alexander which Makes 30 bushell I 
have got in all from him this year aud I got two barrels from McGaw for 
which I paid him 4/ La : Mo : and we got 33 shad from the Scene 

JUNE FIRST 

I went to fish at the falls and got 110 shad and jamey got 29 at our set- 
ting place and johu got 90 at the Scene 

21 I got 90 shad 

31 I got 44 shad aud Bob got 13 at our setting place aud John got 50 at 
the scene 

4"! I got 115 shad 

5th I go^ 90 shad and jamey got 20 at our Setting place aud John got 17 
at the scene 

6"* I got 102 shad 

8'^ I got 3 shad and Bob got 34 at our setting place and John 1 and the 
Scene 

9"* I got 5 shad 

on the 4th 

Susey went to Lo : Derry and bot 2 bushell of salt from jamey McMur- 
phy for which she paid a Dollar aud on the 5th I let Rob' McGregore have 



MATTHEW TATTEN'S DIARY. 285 

20 shad for a biishell of salt which I have yet to get and on the 8th John 
went to Lo : Deny and hot 4 bnshell of salt from janies McMurphy for 
which he paid two Dollars and brot two bushell of it home and the other 2 
he left at Joseph Bells and on the 2d John paid Jacob Heper a Dollar of his 
own money toward what I owe him 

10"^ John and james fished Ells in the night and got 29 five of which 
they gave to their nncle Alex"^ and 2 they gave Mr Martain & 22 they brot 
home out of what shad we got I gave Deacon Walker 12 and W" Morrow 
15 and John McMurphy 25 and John Little 2 and Divers to james Martain 
John Sold 44 at the Scene and the boys sold 61 from their setting place and 
I sold on the Island 184 for money and 20 I let Rob' McGregore have for a 
bushell of salt and I let John Little have 118 shad toward his Right in the 
setting place and 1-5-6 Bay old Tenor in money on the 5th Instant 

1 1'^ I ^vrit a Deed from Sam^' Boyd from John Davis and took the ac- 
knowledgement for which Davis paid me 2/s La : Mo : and I went to the 
falls to look at the pot and I got 3 EUwives and a trout in it 

12"' we began to weed our corn and my bror Martain Major Goff'e Ensn 
McLaughlin and I agreed with Mr Quinlin to keep school a month for five 
Dollars or longer which we see fit to Employ him or four Dollars and a 
half pr month by the year and I went to Rob* Alexanders and got a bushell 
of white beans from him and did not pay for them 

13"i I hooped off two small pails and I went to the falls and I got 3 Sal- 
mon out of the pott that weighed 29^2 £ and two ellwives 

14"' I heard Mr Ward preach in Derry field meeting house and I went up 
to the falls and got two Salmon in the pot that weighed £ and four ell- 
wives and I got 2 shad & 3 Ells of my part of what was in the pott on the 
setting place 

15th I -vveut to Merrills and I heard Mr Smith the Anabaptist preach and 
Dip Baker of Derryfield and a young woman of Duubarton and I bot a 
bottle of snuff for McGregore and for two ferryages of myself I paid 2/ 
LawfuU Money 

16"! I run lines for Lieut Poor for which he paid me a Dollar it was 
Round the Home Lott No 48 by Gillmors Saw Mill 

17"' I went to james Yoses and took his Invoice from his Wife and went 
from there to the falls and fished Ells the night following and got a shad 
& 26 Ells 

18"' I went back to the falls and got 4 Shad and a Salmon that weighed 
103^ £ and I gave Hugh McColleys wife 2 shad and the Rest I sent home 
and I eat supper with McColley and I got 8 Ells in the Evening 

19"' I got 8 shad one I lent to Samuell Richards and tlu'ee I gave widow 
Batchelor for a spick gimblet that I borrowed from her a year ago & Hugh 
McColley lost it and McColley's wife got three of my Ells and I eat break- 
fast with her and I brot 4 shad and 5 Ells home 

20"' I went with Nath^' Marston to Sam^' Sanders and \^Tit a deed from 
him to Mrs Sanders and a bond from his father to her and helped them to 
Settle and Nath" pd me 0-4-8-2 and I took the acknowledgement of the 
Deed for which Mrs Sanders paid /1 1-1 allmost 



286 MATTHEAV PATTEN'S DIARY. 

A DAY CONTINUED FROM JUNE 20 1773 

22<i Tho^ NeAvman made aud Sett a New shoe on my horses fore foot 

23<i I took a barrel of shad to jonas Cuttings for W™ Morrow for the 
Right in the Scene I hot of him last Spring and I paid the Ferryage and 
sett it in jonas room and I paid the ferryage by drawing an Rect for him 
agt John Briant and Swearing him to it and I went to Snnkook to try to 
get grain and lodged at james Moors 

24"> I got one bnshell of Indian corn from Moors wife for which I paid 
3_10-0 old Tenor my Expences this journey was 1-6-0 old Tenor and brot 
the bnshell of corn that I got to Esqr Blodget mill and he ground it Toal 
free and I catched 6 Lamper Ells and brot them to Matthew Littles aud 
the price is 5/ Bay old Tenor unpaid 

25 & 26^^ I went to Robert Walkers aud with him aud Hugh Oit we 
made the highway Rates and Warrants 

27'^^ I went to Esqr Blodgets mill with 1 1^' bushell of Mishlin Wheat 
and Rie and he gave me the Toal 

29"' I went according to appointment vrith John Crombie aud Col Barr 
to Londonderry and went from there with james MacGregore aud John 
Bell with sd Crombie and weut to Pelhani and from thence to the most 
Southeastly corner of Lo : derry and run W : N : W : neigh to one Smiths 
and Col Barr aud I lodged at sd Smiths by an invitation the others went 
to Pelham 

30*'^ I began where I left off the night before and were joined by Pel- 
hams Selectmen and Run by night as far as to John Willsous aud then 
went to Lieut Buttlers aud lodged over night 

JULY FIRST 

went to where we left off last night aud weut on and got to said But- 
tlers to Diner in the afternoon we got to Pelham N : W : Corner aud as far 
as Tho« Smiths between Derry and Nottingham West aud were joined by 
one of Nottingham Selectmen we went back to Buttlers and lodged over 
night 

2<^ we proceeded aud run to Derry S: W: Corner and from thence to 
Litchfield S: E: corner and had two of Nottingham Selectmen and they pd 
me four Dollars for my service all but 3 coppers aud I came to William 
Pattersons in Litchfield and lodged over night 

3*^ Patterson let me have l^ bushell of Indian corn for which I paid him 
% of a Dollar and I pd 3 coppers for my ferryage and two to Means for 
snuff and came home and sent the corn to Blodgetts mill aud I had the 
Toal not payd for and I workt the afternoon at our School house by John 
and james yesterday and this forenoon at getting the timber and haiiling 
and my oxen this forenoon 

4'^ I worked at framing the school house and we Raised it about Sun 
Set 

6"i I sett out after Grain and I bot ^^ Hundi-ed of Rice from McGaw for 
which I paid 5 £ bay old Tenor aud I got 14 £ of Shugar at 2-14-0 aud a 
pound of Tea at 1-14-0 both on credit bay old Tenor aud I went and lodged 
at Jesse Wymans at pine hill 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 287 

7'^ I got a btishell of Vergiuia corn from Mr Right for which I paid 
1-12-0 bay old tenor and a bushell of Rie from jos Fletchers son for which 
I pd 1-15-0 bay old tenor and a bushell of Rie att 35/ and half a biishell of 
corn at 12/6 bay old Tenor from Temple Kendall which 1 paid and I lodged 
at Ephraim Addams 

8'^ I came to Lovewells mill and got the 3)4 bnshell ground and I pd the 
Toal for which I paid 7/ bay old Tenor my Expences this joiu-uey was 11/4 
Tjay old Tenor and got home a little before Sun Sett 

10"' I sent jamey to Hugh McCalleys for Martains fly nett and He got a 
bottle of Snuff f rom McGregore for which he paid 38/Hamp'' old Tenor and 
I knit at the new fly nett 

ll^h I finished kniting in the morning & then I went at workt at hang- 
ing the nett and we finished tying of it on a little before sun sett 

13"* John and I went and Sawed a cut of a logg on the East Side of 
the River for clapboards but it would not do and Siisauna and David went 
to Londonderry 

14"' David brot home the two bushell of salt that John left at Joseph 
Bells the 8th of last June and I ^vrit a Deed from Tho« Hall to SaniH Rich- 
ards of a Right in the common in Goflfestown and took the acknowledge- 
ment and I writ a Deed from james Gillmor to David Moor of a peice of 
land in the N: E: Corner of the home lott no 75 in Bedford 

the Remainder of the week I made a new axle tree to my Cart and 
molded the pad of my Saddle and I got hair from Stephen French to almost 
stuff it 

19"' being Sabath day Nathauiell Clark sent me two dollars pr my brors 
Betty towards what he owes me on his note 

20"* I went to Col Goffes to get his chair wheel to fetch up our weights 
and Measures from' Exeter and the boys hill at the corn 

21«' the boys hilld at the Corn 

22'! the boys finished hilling the corn and I went to Deacon Walkers and 
got 4 Dollars of the towns money to bear my Expences and to fee Mr Liv- 
ermoor for his advice concerning the Road that Gan Riddell want to Dr 
Miller meadow lott in the Great Meadow 

23'i I set out for Exeter and Portsmoiith and lodged at Towles Col 
Goffes wheels would not do they were so crazey 

24"' I arrived at Portsmouth about Noon I Dinned by Invitation with 
Noah Parker and I bot 4 bushell of Indian corn from Capt Rob' Parker for 
which I pd him 3 Dollars and got to Stratham and lodged at Mr Chases 

25"' I got home I could not find the weights and measures at Exter as I 
expected but Noah Parker says they are there and is to send them to Esqr 
Websters next Thursday I paid him X Dollar for the carriage from Exter 
to there My Expences this journey was 11-14-0 Hamp'' old Tenor 

27'*' I went with a bushell of the Corn I brot home on the 25th to Esqr 
Blodgetts and got it Ground and Spent the afternoon with him at his 
house on neighbourly conversation 

28"' I fited some Rakes and the boys mowed yesterday and today 

29"' I fited some more Rakes and the boys Mowed the forenoon and 
the afternoon I spent after Salmon and McLaughlin and I got 3 Exceeding 
hot this week & a shower this afternoon 



288 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

30*^^ I went to Esqr blodgets with the Remaiuder of the Com I brot from 
Portsmouth being 2}^ biishell and about 3 or 4 quarts I have had the Toal 
of all that I brot from Portsm from him and have not paid him for it being 
in all 3)^ btishell and about 4 quarts more showers this afternoon and 
Evening 

31^^ It Rained and the wind at N: E: this morning Martain and I got a 
Salmon this morning that weighed about 12 £ and he got two yesterday 
that weighed I suposse 35 or 36 we Divided them this morning I had about 
16 £ for my share 

AUGUST FIRST 

I went to MacGregores and got the biishell of salt that I paid him for 
last fish time in Shad and a bottle of snuff and a pair of Brass sieve bot- 
tons for which I pd 44/ Hamp'' old Tenor 

3<i John and I went to the little meadow near noon and began to mow 
we mowed the Govr lott and some in the Squar and the path in to the 
meadow and I borrowed a flask full of Rum from W'" Caldwells wife 

4*^^ I butchered our belled Cows Calf it weighed 11 j^ £ pr quarter and 
we mowed some more in the Little meadow and I went and got two quarts 
of Rum at Hugh Campbells on on Credit and my wife went to Means and 
got Several Articles and paid the money for them yesterday 

o*'^ was a considerable Rain and I fitted up 3 Rakes and the boys got in 
a load of hay out of the meadow at home before it Rained 

7 & 8"^ I Carted home two loads of hay from the Little meadow each 
day and Mowed a few cocks and Raked up 18 on the 6th I mowed 11 cocks 
and the boys and I got all we had down in cocks except 5 

10*'^ I mowed part of the forenoon in the burnt lott and David went to 
Esqr Blodgets mill with 2i.< bushell and a little more of New Rie that the 
boys reaped and thrashed last week they Reaped 15 Stooks and last week 
John thrashed 2 stooks and 2 sheaves for what we sent to mill today 

11*'^ Was a Considerable Rain last night and this morning and I did not 
go to the meadow & Newman made me a Sett of Scytli Hangin and the 
boys Reaped three stooks & there was a heavey shower this Evening to- 
ward night 

12"^ We shaked out our Cocks and what I mowed on the 10th and got it 
all in cocks and brot home a load 

13"^ I sent David to Means and got ^h ^ Gallon of Rum and ^o a £ of 
Tea for which he paid 24/1 bay old Tenor and we took care and di-ied our 
hay and brot home a load 

14th -^g finished Reaping the peice above the barn there was 37 Stooks 
and 4 Sheaves on it which was all Winter Rie and began to Reap the 
Spring Rie in the old field before the house 

15"^ I went to the meadow and mowed or 6 cocks it was very hot and 
there came up a Great shower of Rain and hail I cocked up what I mowed 
altho it was not hayed all the hollow places in the meadow was full and 
the brook to the top of the banks like the Spring time 

16*'^ it Was cloxidy and the air at N: E: and Rained a little some part of 
the day and our Belled Cow took Bull 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 289 

17*'' Lo^yrey dull weather I took the acknowledgement of a Deed from 
Samnell Turrill Senior to Samuell Turrill Jniou unpd and the boys 
Thrashed Rie 

IS"' we cleaned up 4 bush ell of Rie misty dull weather & I got a bushell 
of Rie ground at Lieut Moors mill 

19"' Cloudy dull weather and Mr Hepper come to turn Mr Quinlins sm*- 
tut 

20"' Cloudy Dull weather and I set up a pail and repaired my Cart 

21^' and 22<i I worked at the meadow and finished mowing and rakeing 
the burnt lott I had 32 Cocks on it and got home a load of hay 

24"' I got two Quarts of Rum from Hugh Campbell on Credit and I 
mowed some at the Meadow in the Squar and John worked at the meadow 
and we got home a load of hay which makes the 9th load we have got 
home this year 

25"' We mowed and Raked hay and got home a load 

26"' I butchered a lamb and worked at the meadow and brot home a 
load of hay 

27"' worked at the meadow & brot home a load of hay 

28"' finished mowing exceept 3 cocks among the bushes in the Go\'t lott 
and brot home a load of hay & got % Gallon of Rum from Hugh Camp- 
bell on Credit 

29"' got it all in cock that is mowed and brot home a load and took "2)^ 
bushell of Rie to Lievit Moors Mill but did not get it home and I writ a 
Deed from David McClary of Merrymac to jamey Smith of the meadow 
lott no 73 and took the acknowledgement and Reed J^ La: Mo: toward it 
and jamey is to pay me /S more 

3P' Carted home 2 load of hay and the boys mowed and carried out from 
the bushes in the Go\t lott what Grass was and they Cleared on sd lott 
the Rest of the day 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

Carted home a load of hay 

2'' I butchered a lamb and I got a Gallon of Rum from Hugh Campbell 
on Credit and the boys went to the Meadow for a load of hay lowery 
weather and Rained some and I gave Doctor Barns a Summons for Divers 
Evidences and a Notification to the adverse party (viz) Lieut McQueston 
and others and am to go to Litchfield next Saterday to take the Deposi- 
tions 

3'' was a great Rain last night and considerable today 

4"^ I went to the meadow and shook oixt what was wet of the hay and 
brot home a load 

5'*' John Got William Caldwells oxen and helped home with a load being 
the last I had 20 loads this year there was 197 cocks in it this year and I 
went to Ensn Chases and took 4 Depositions for Doctor Barns and one for 
McQ\ieston pr Mr Athertons desire all unpaid and I came home after mid- 
night 

7"' I writ the Captions on tlie Depositions I took on the 5th and Sent 
them to Court pr deacon Walker and I went to job Dows and he paid 
19 



290 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

me 8-16-9-2 lawful being his part of the last Note to the 29th of jiily last 
and I charged him Intrest no longer he haveiug had the Money Ready for 
me at that time 

gih J -wrent to Robert Alexanders and paid his Wife Six Dollars and 25/ 
Bay old Tenor being what I owed him of what Rie and a bushell of Beans 
I had from him last Spring &c And I paid Means what I owned them on 
book being 9-2-4- Bay old Tenor and I got 1: 10: Bay old Tenor worth 
and paid the money and l^r, Doz" of Coat buttons for jolius Red jacot and 
paid X of a Dollar for them 

9"' I went to McGregores and got }4 ^ of Tea for which I paid 40/ old 
Tenor for and I paid him for a bottle of snuff which I had from him on Cr 
on the 25th of last Augt and I went into the woods with Chandlers heirs 
to look their land 

IQth "Was Rainy Weather and I vrrit a letter to james Blanchard for 
Sanuiell Kennedy of the Value of the lott No 11 in the 1st Rang in 
Goffestown on Berlford line 

11"' I went into the woods with Chandlers heirs away beyon Whitfield 
Gillmors and to the brushey Meadow and it came on Rain and Wet us a 
Good deal and we came home before night 

12"* Was something Rainy the fore part of the day I began to Cut a few 
Stalks Near Night 

14th -^^g Qii^ ^^]2e Remainder of our Stalks but 12 Rows and John and 
jamey went to Alex' McMurphys to help him get his Hay 

15*^ Deacon Walker brought the Venires for the jurymen for Octr Court 
and I drawed a Wart for a town meeting to be held the 29th to chuse and 
Draw them and we finished cuting Our Stalks and I went to INIcGregores 
and I got a Bottle of snuff and a quarter of a pound of Allspice and 1^ a 
bole of tody for which I paid 2/(5 Lawful 

16"* I went into the woods with Chandlers Heii's to a Meadow lott by 
Jacob McQuads and one in the little meadow and and no one in the 11th 
Rang and 55 3d Division and 47 & 49 third Divisions and I got a pen knif 
and j4 a quire of paper from McGaw 

17"* was a Rainey day 

18"* I went with Col Goffe and Capt Walker to Goflfestowi) and laid off 
thirty acres out of the common at penny Meadow to Dow for William 
McDoels amendment which he had pm-chased from McDoel & I took the 
acliiiowledgement of a Deed for John George unpaid 

19"* I went to Rob* Alexanders and Run part of the lines Round the 
lott no 47 a 3d Division for him and I got ^o ^ of peper an Earthen pot 
and a pitcher and chamber pot from McGaw for which and a penknif and 
the % quire of paper I had from him the 16th I paid him 31/3 Bay old Ten*' 
and I got a thousand of board Nails and three thousand of Shingle Nails 
from him on Credit for our School house 

2iBt I drawed the articles for us the partners in the school house among 
our selves and between us and Joshua Gage for his doing the work 

22"^ We all met and Signed the Articles the forenoon it cost me ^o a day 

23<i I gathered and traced some corn 

24"* I worked the afternoon makeing mortar and tending the Masons at 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 291 

the School house Chimney aud luy brors Sam" took 98 feet of seasoned 
White pine boards from me to the school house and my Cart Carted Stones 
for the School house from Gan Riddells 

SS''' I went in the forenoon to Mr Caldwells and then to james Aikens 
Rob' Walkers and Hugh Campbells after lime for the school house and the 
afternoon I tended the Masons and John Workejd the forenoon makeing 
morter at the School house 

26"' I went to Means and got 55 Squars of Glass of 7 by 9 and ^o a thou- 
sand of Double tens on credit for the Schooriiouse and John worked all 
day at laying the hearth and Underpining the school house and in the 
afternoon I went to McGregores and I got % £ of Tea and an Oiince of 
Snuff for the school master and a bowle of tody for which I paid him i., a 
dollar and I got an Ivory comb at Means in the forenoon for which I paid 
him 5/ Bay old Tenor and I paid him for 3 Squars of the Glass 

28"^ I went to Capt Karrs and Measured off 50 acres for Doctor Tiffiny 
of the west side of the land he had from Rob' Mathies and I writ the 
deed and took the acknowledgement and charged a Dollar I expect Capt 
Karr will answer it 

29th Was a town Meeting and we chose Samuell Vose a grand jury man 
for the Sessions 

30'^ Hugh Orr and I met at Deacon Walkers to make Rates 

OCTOBER FIRST 

we finished makeing the Province County Ministers and Grave yard 
Rates we got two quarts of Rum from John Bell aud paid it with a pis- 
tereen of the towns money that was in Deacon Walkers hand and John 
Worked at Newboston highway 

2'^ I went to Means and got 7 £ of shugar aud half a Gallon of Rum for 
which I paid in Bay old Tenor 1-15-7 

'M I went to Londonderry to George Duncans and got 1>2 M of clep- 
board Nails for which I paid 7/6 La^vful and the boys got in the corn by 
the well 

5"* I Run Round the lott No one in the 11 th Rang for James Mathies 
and Gave him the Runing of it and he and his Wife gave me 1 f and 6 
ounces of Heckled flax and 2 £ of tobacca 

gth I -vyent out at the desire of one Moses Abbot administrator on tlie 
Estate of Jonathan Hill of Bedford in the Bay province to look uid the lotts 
2 & 4 in the 2d Rang in this town for which he paid Me a Dollar the ap- 
prizers was with us (viz) Lieut Daniell Moor Samuell Patten aud John 
Bell and Richard McAllister junior was out as a hand 

7"' was a great Rain we got in a load of corn and husked it and wliat 
Remained of what the boys got in before they had got in what was by the 
Well 

8"> I went to McGregores and got }■<, £ of Tea a bottle of snuff and a 
stamped handkircheif and half a bowle of tody for which I paid him 6-(i-0 
Hampsliire old Tenor and I got Baileys Dectionary from him on Credit at 
10/ Lawful and I got Hugli McCalley to help me draw our Salmon pot iip 
the bank a gi-eat Rain today 



292 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

9"' I had my brors Martaius and Tho^ McLaughlins Oxen and the boys 
and I hauled in nine pine logs on to the ways at Major Goffes Saw Mill 
and Martain had my Oxen helping him the afternoon 

IQtii Tho'* McLaughlin had my Oxen helping him all day and I Writ at 
puting the List and Warrant into the town Book 

12*'^ I finished puting them into the book and I went to Means and I hot 
2 Barrels and ^o ^ gallon of New England Rum from McGaw for which I 
paid him 44/7 Bay old Tenor 

14"^ John and jamey went to the ordination in Merrymaek and I husked 
corn and Bob & David plowed some 

15"* I husked corn and John and jamey came home in the evening 

16"* we husked out what corn was in the Barn and got word by John 
Wallace that Francis Barnet died this morning at Breakfast 

17"* I attended Francis Barnetts funeral and was a pall bearer 

19"* the boys and I took what apples we propose for Cyder being 35 
bushell to Gillmors mill and ground them and filled up 4 barrells of good 
Cydar and some more and I put on 7 pails of water on the chees and let it 
stand till morning 

20"* I cut up the Chess and put on 2 pails of water more and pressed oft' 
a barrell and ^^ more then cut up the chess again and put on another pail 
of water and pressd off to fill the last barrel and three or 4 Gallons over 
and Squire Dow paid me the ballauce of his last years Note being 5 y^ Dol- 
lars and 1}4 pistereen Intrest 

21 St ^^Q ijrot home the Cydar we have 4 barrels of Good cydar and 2 bar- 
rells and about 6 Gallon of Water cydar and it came on a cold storm of 
Rain 

22"^ John and I worked at the highways 

23'^ John and I worked at the highways and in the Evening we met at 
the school house and accepted it from Gage and I paid him my part which 
was 2 Dollars and ^i, a pistereen and Major Goft'e sent to Means and got a 
Gallon of Rum and 1 pound of Loaf Shugar to be paid by the owners 

24"* We got in the last of our corn 

26"* We husked corn 

37th ^^Q finished husking corn we have about 80 bushell of Indian that 
is Good corn and John worked for Hannah Barnett geting wood and we 
finished plowing our Indian corn ground 

28"* I went to McGregores and got % £ of Tea and a bottle of snuff 
for which I pd him 4/ Lawful 

29"* I went to james Pattersons to see about Geting the 4 bushell of Rie 
I lent him about a year ago and I had i., a mug of flip at John Bells for 
which I paid 2/ bay old Tenor 

30"* John and I worked at the highway at the causey and Diging stone 
by Al•ro^^^ns it thundered a gi-eat deal at a Distance Soutli and S : W : 
and Rained a good deal toward night and in the Evening and jamey went 
to Lieut Moors Mill and 3^^ bushell of Indian corn Ground which makes 
8 bushell we have had ground this faul of our New Indian corn 

31"' I cleaned up almost six bushell of Rie and John worked for his uncle 
at repau-ing his Cydar Mill 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 293 

NOVEMBER 

2'' we butchered a hog that weighed 134 £ and I took the list and war- 
rants to John Bell and I hot the Gun that was David Scobeys that was 
broke at a training in this town for three Dollars from Bell and am to 
answer to Scobey what is more than he owes Bell on book 

3'^ I set out for Boston and lodged at John 

4"^ I Reed 64-13-4 Bay old Tenor from him toward his note and arived 
at Boston 

5th ^ gtii f^^(^ Qji jj^j -^ay home for things and my Expences I laid out 
63-14-10 bay old Tenor and I ai-rived home the 7th in the Evening 

9th I went to McGaws and hot several Articles to the amount of 6-5-1 
bay old Tenor and paid him the money 

10"' I i^eiced the stock of the Gun I had from John Bell and Hepper 
came to our house to Taylor 

11"^ I set out for Cockermouth and lodged at Mrs Osgoods 

12*'^ I bot some articles in pennykook and went to Rob' Forsiths and 
lodged there 

13th "^as a storm of snow and Rain and I lay by 

14"» I arrived at Cockermouth and lodged at Mr James Goolds and he 
kept my horse that night 

15"' Sabath day & I sent my horse to Widow snows to be kept 

IQth went into the woods to Surveying and lodged at Esquire Brainards 
in Rumney and run lines every day the Remainder of the week 

23d & 24"' I Run hues 

25ti' 26"' and 27"' Rainey the whole time we came in the afternoon of the 
27th and concluded to Quit the work 

28"' I Destributed my stores to my landlady Goold and came to Mrs 
Snows in Plymouth and came to Rob' Forsiths and Tarryed there untill the 
first of December and while I was there I gave Forsith my 4th part of the 
lott no 74 in New Chester in the 1st Division and on the 1st of December I 
came to Mrs Osgoods and 

2'^ I arrived home about Duskish Rob' Forsith gave me about 1,^:1 bushell 
of Wheat and his wife baked a parctil of Wheat Cakes for me when I went 
up to Cockermouth My Expences and what things I bot on this jom-ney 
from I left home was 1-5-10 Lawful money of which sum I paid 3/4 for a 
tin kittle that I sold for my own money and 6/ for a gallon of Rum for 

James Goold which I got an order on the Collector 

pr day came to 6-0-0 

3" of December WAS THE GENERAL THANKSGIVEING 

4"' I went to Derryfield to see about brik 

5"' I diveded the boards of Nine logs with Samuell Goflfe that he sawed 
off II3 being the last of the logs we liauled winter was a year there was 
958 feet of my part and I got a new Shave from Proctor at 30/ Bay old 
Tenor unpaid 

7"' I went to McGregores and got }4 & of Tea and some other things to 
the amount of 3-7-0 old Tenor and paid the Money 

8"' I Run lines for Francis Diamond and was in their Disi)ute witli 
Howard 



294 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

gth J -went to McGaws and got 3 yds of wide Baize on Credit and some 
small articles to the amount of 5/10 Bay old Tenor which I paid the 
money for 

IQth I went to Newboston and lodged at Betty McOoUnms 

11"^ I settled with Andrew Walker for his note and acct and he alowed 
me Intrest on the acct from the year 1759 a 2/ pr £ untill the year 1765 
and from then 6 pr ct and his note the same Intrest the whole now 
amounts to 7-19 Lawful for which I took his note to be paid in a year 
with Intrest till paid 

13*'^ I went to Capt Daniell Moors mill and took 3 bushell of Indian corn 
with me and got it Ground and the Rie I left there 8th Instant 

14th I -went And Riin the lines of the lott no 80 a 3d Division for Ensign 
Vickere I charged 4/ unpaid 

(More pages of manuscript missing.) 

4tii I \vrit a bond from James Wallace to james Linn for his Main- 
tenance and settled the note between Capt Walker and Linn and a note 
from Martha Nimmock to Capt Walker and charged 3/ for the whole but 
they did not fix who should pay me and I settled my old acct against 
Martha Nimmock with her Daughter Esther for 111 £ of beaf she had 
from me in the year 1759 in Novbr and the ballance due to me was 9/3 
Lawful and the money was paid to John Bell Which paid my County and 
Province Rates and a pistereen over and Bell paid me the pistereen in 
cash and I went in the afternoon with Hugh Orr and altered and Ex- 
changed the highway at the east side of W'" Caldwells land agi-eeable to 
a Vote of the town 

5^'^ we butchered our large Barrow and Sow the Barrow weighed 390 £ 
and the Sow 235 £ and we met in the Evening at Mr Martains to Settle 
our school house acct and I was so much out of Case that I was obliged to 
come away presently after we began 

6th I -vvent to Deacon Walkers and him and I went to Master Sauce and 
agreed with him to be the town school master 

7th I went to McGregores and got a Gallon of Molasses and }4 £ of All- 
spice for which I paid 56/ Hampr old Tenor and I spent 10/6 Hampr old 
Tenor and I ^v^it a Deed from Tho"" Mann to John Bell of his land he bot 
of John Clark 

3th I went to John Bells and took the acknowledgement of the Deed 
from Tho^ Maun to John Bell which answers one shilling toward the Gun 
I had from him this faull. 

9*'^ John Perham hauld 1500 brick to the River from Robins for which 
he Charged me a Dollar and I Gave him my Note for 3 Dollars to be paid 
to Capt Carlton for the price of the brick and I got them over the River 
and paid 15/ old Tenor for the freght of them over the River and they 
want 9/ more 

11th I -went to the forge and got 253^ £ of Iron from W" Newman and 
I got Thomas Newman to punch a hole in the barr and make a little 
Crane and Rivet it on for a Mantel tree for our Celar chimney the 25}^ it 
came to 6-7-6 Hampr old Tenor impaid and the boys got home the last of 
the brick we got over the River the 9th 



iNIATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 295 

12*'^ I went at John Vickeres desire to Nathaniel Clarks and took the 
acknowledgement of Clai-ks wife to him of a Deed of the place in Bedford 
and of his and his Wife to Mr W" Gordon of the said place and of Vick- 
eres Wife to Clark I charged Vickere 3/ Lawful and he paid me the 3/ 
and the one for Clark he owes me 1/ for 

13"! I Began to Draw the lease from Tho"* McLaughlin to W'" Newman 
and got well forward and McLaughlin came and stoped me to have some 
new articles put into the lease and I went and put the latch on the school 
house door these two days John put up the Cellar chimney 

14tii J -went to Widow Barnetts desu-e to her house and from there with 
her to Samuell Vose to see if he would Resign his sons Legacie to her Late 
husbands Estate it snowed all day 

loth I Drawed the leases of Tho« Maclaughlius part of the forge to W"" 
Newman and it snowed all last night and uutill about the Middle of this 
Day 

16'^ The boys and I got home 3 load of wood 

18"' got three load of wood 

19"' Francis Dimond came and I Writ a deed from him of his home ■ 
place and two lotts by Howards to Aaron Gage and took the acknowledge- 
ment for which Dimond paid me 20"/ Bay old Tenor and y^ a Dollar for 
% the day I Run lines for him and Low the 8tli of Decbr last being Lows 
part his own part I allowed for a small pair of stillards I had from him 
several years ago 

21"' I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for Tho'' Mason the Deed 
was from Clark to him The Acknowledgement Mann is to pay in smith 
work and james McClure and Samuell Morrison came to our house to 
Make Shoes 

22'' james Martain had my oxen helping him to Draw logs to the River 

23'' Bob went to Capt Moors mill vrith 2 bushell of Corn and 2 of Rie 
and james and I got wood and John Thrashed 

25"' and 26"' I made heels and a small last for our Alexander and John 
Thrashed 

27"' I went to McGaws and got Yz £ of Tea and 2X yards of Cromble- 
teen and 6 ounces of bees wax from but paid no money for the things for 
McGaw was not at home an exceeding warm pleasant day 

28"' a snowey day and I worked at makeing lasts 

29"' at makeing lasts a very cold windy day 

30"' not so high a wind as yesterday and I went to McGregores and Got 
a Gallon of Molasses and \}i S, of Chalk and a jacknif and % a mug of 
flip for which I paid him and I got a Deerskin from him at 16/ Lawful on 
Credit and I got 3 £ of Tallow from Matthew Little for which I paid him 
a pistereen and one half 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

a Windy day and I worked some at makeing lasts and I fell an oak 
in the cleared land by Capt Walkers place and cut the top for wood 

2'' an Exceeding windy day and the snow Drifted very much and Vio- 
lent cold and james McClure and Samuel Morrison finished makeing 16 



296 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

pair of shoes for lis tliey charged 25-16-0 Hampr O : T : as they settled be- 
tween themselves Morrison is to receive 15-12-0 and McCliire 10-4-0 and 
I paid McClure 4-16-0 by 9 lasts and I owe him 5-8-0 old Tenor yet and I 
borrowed a Dollar from old Mother McLaughlin and I paid McClure two 
Dollars to give to Moses "Watts being my part toward Equiping the seen 
by Nutts against next fish time 

3<i I went to Rob' Alexanders and got 2 bushell of Rie and two of corn 
from him on er and I got it Ground at Capt Moors and got it home and I 
got a skean of silk from McGaw at 5/ bay old Tenor on Credit 

4"> I was a good deal out of case 

5"^ James Martain had my oxen helping him draw logs 

6th I -went to Rob' Alexanders and got 4 bushell of Indian corn and two 
of Rie from him and brot it to Capt Moors and got it Ground and home 
and the boys hauld wood 

gth The wind rose last night very high and continued so all day so that 
it took up large flaks of crusted snow and blowed it along it was exceed- 
ing cold 

gtii J went to Alexanders and got 6 bushell of Rie I settled with him for 
what Grain I have had from him this Winter being ten bushell of Rie and 
6 of Indian the Rie was 32/6 and the corn at 25/ Bay old Tenor came to 
23-15-0 and I paid him 6-15-0 by 3 days Runing lines for him on the 33d 
24th and 25th of last December and I owe him 17 .=& bay old Tenor yet of 
the Grain and I got }4 £ of Tea and 7 £ of Shugar from McGaw Weighed 
off to me by Alexanders wife on Cr 

12"^ I writ a Deed from Miller janies Moor to John McConihe of his place 
and a bond of Defeazance from John McConihe to him on the Deed and I 
took the Acknowledgement of the Deed and bond both for which Moor paid 
me 4/ Lawful money and Mr Hepper came yesterday to make me a pair of 
breeches of my Wif es kniting and he finished makeing them today at noon 
and then he went home 

13''* I went to Rob' Gillmors in Goofestown for Major Goffe and ^^^-it a 
pair of Indentures for him for the child that Sarah March laid to his son 
Samuell to Rob' Gillmor but she did not come with the child to sign the 
Indentures I charged Goffe 2/ Lawful and he paid me a pistereen of it 

15"* I went to McGregores and I got a Dozen of biitons for leather 
breeches and i^ a Gallon of Rum and a Miig of Tody for which I paid him 
19/3 Bay old Tenor 

16"* Mr Hepper came to make a pair of leather breeches for me 

17"* I went out near Mr Heppers and got as much poplar stuff as ■svill 
make 18 dishes or boles and I went to Zachariah Chandlers and took the 
acknowledgement of a Deed for John Lowder from Zech for which he paid 
me a pisteereen and Mr Hepper finished makeing my breetches 

18"* I went to McGaws and got a checked Unen liandkercheif at 14/ and 
a paper of pins at 4/ and paid the Money for them and I went to John 
T homas and got 4 bushell of Rie from him which paid me for my Runing 
lines for him and McGella^Te this faul Except 5/ Bay old Tenor and I got 
it Ground at Capt Moors Mill 

20"* the boys cut and hauled with our own Oxen and horse 4 logs to the 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 297 

Majors mill for hif; son Samxiell for the plank he sawed this winter to lay 
our barn floor 

21'^t Sabathflay supposed to be the coldest Day was this Winter the Ex- 
ceeding high , 

22<i the Wind not (luit so high but the cold very Intence the boys and I 
got two load of wood 

2d'^ my bror Samuell and I went to McGregores and Capt Starke and I 
got a Gallon of Molasses ^o a Gallon of Rum and a mug of Tody from 
McGregore for which I pd him 3-14-0 Hampr old Tenor 

24"! I attended at Esquire Rands at the Pi-obate Court on acct of the 
legacie Francis Barnett left to the poor of the town my Expences was a 
Dinner and a mug of Flip the flip I pd 4/1 Bay O : T : for the Dinner un- 
paid 

• 25"! I Writ a Wart for a town meeting to be held the 10th of next march 
and I went to Deacon Walkers and he signed it and I went to John Orrs 
and sent it from there to McDuflie by his step son John Morrison 

27th I -^yent to Tho" Boies for Hugh Campbell and Writ deed from him to 
Boies of all his place Exceept one acre and a bond of Def eazance for which 
I charged 4 shillings unpd 

MARCH FIRST 

I Writ a Deed from Zechariah Chandler unpd and in the Evening the 
partners (Except my bror) that hired Mr Quinlan settled with him for 
what he has keept school vnth us since the loth of last June the time he 
began his wages came to 36 Dollars my part is 6 Dollars 

2'! I went ^vith my bror and his Sani'^ to McGregores to meet the other 
partners in the white pine timber in Amoskieg fall and waited all day but 
none of them come and Esqiir Dow came to my house and paid my wife 
9-0-4-2 Lawful money toward his and his bror jobs and Favors note 

3*1 I paid my bror Sam^ five Dollars to pay his Quarter of what is to be 
paid now for the logs in Amoskieg fall 

S"! I went to Deacon Walkers and with the other selectmen Drawed the 
Wart for the March meeting and w^e Reed from james Caldwell of his col- 
lection of Rates 0-9-9-1 and from jos Scobey 3-18-0 and the whole of the 
Remainder of Tho** Boies being 3-3-9-3- being in the whole 7-11-7 Lawful 
and lodged the Money in Deacon Walkers hand and I paid Joseph Scobey 
18/ La-\vful on Tho^ Newnnans order in writing 

4*'' I went Zechariah Chandlers and took the acloiowledgement of the 
deed that I writ the 1st Instant from Zechariah Chandler to Rob' Alexan- 
der to be paid by Alexander 

5th X went to Joseph Farmers and wi-it two Deeds at his place to Jacob 
McGaw I charged i^ a Dollar and I took the acknowledgements for McGaw 
2/ Lawful and lodged at Alexanders with McGaw 

6"^ I settled with McGaw for all I f)wed him Except what I owe him of 
the things I got for the school house which with H £ of Tea I got today 
came to 9-3-3- bay old Tenor and I paid him 10/ bay old Tenor over through 
mistake in ading it up the Writing the deed for Farmer yesterday and 



298 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

the two acknowledgemeuts whicli came to 1-17-6 bay olrl Tenor was set- 
tled iu our acct and he charged Farmer with the half Dollar 

gtii -^g gQ^^ some wood and iu the afternoon I searched about the River 
to find my Caunoe but did not find her 

9th -yy-g g.Q(-, some more wood and iu the af teriioou I found my Caunoe 
against Zechariah Chandlers land 

W^ was a town Meeting which I attended and I was chose to Attend 
the Probate court on acct of the Legacie left to the town by Francis Bar- 
nett 

11"^ I attended the Probate court at Capt Daniel Moors my Expences 
was my Dinner which cost me half a pistereen 

12"^ I writ a Daed from Benjamin Vickere and his Wife to Robert Biirns 
and Went to Vickeres and took the acknowledgement whicli Burns is to 
pay me for and Vickere paid me a Dollar and half for Runing the lott he 
sold to Burns the 14th of last December and for Runing Round the 3d 
Division no 103 on the 22d of sd December and writing the Deed today and 
I got 7 £ of Brown Shugar and 2}4 £ and 1 ounce of Loaf shugar and 3^ 
an ounce of snuff from and 1>^ £ of Tobaccafrom McGaw for which I paid 
him 2-12-0 Bay old Ten'' and I had % & of Indigo that I did not pay for 

13th I "vVrit a Will for Silas Barron and one from William Barron for 
which they paid me ^o ^ Dollar and Mr Solomon Hutchinson and I went 
over the cast of the Inventory of Capt Barrons Estate and found we had 
overcast it about 32: 13-3 Lawful money 

15* I -writ a bill of sale from Tho* Newman to his bror William and a 
power from Tho** to Martian William is to pay me 

16"^ I writ another bill of sale from Thomas Newman to his bror Will- 
iam and Will'" is to pay me and I went to Goffestowu and laid out 40 
acres of the common by penny Meadow and came and See Tho'* Newman 
and settled accts with him and there was 10/8 bay old Tenor in my fa\T 
and I forgave it and we changed Rects 

17th J waited on the Counters at John Bells that was Chose the 10th In- 
vStant to Render the town accts but all they did was to Examined the accts 
which had been Accepted by the town last March Meeting 

18*1' I Recorded the Warts for the Meeting that was held the 10th In- 
stant and the Votes of sd Meeting and John Bells acct of his constableship 
in the year 1766 and was accepted by the town the 18th of April 1769 

19"' I went to David McClearys in this town & laid out his mill yard for 
which and takeing the acknowledgement of a Deed for Capt AlP Allds 
and him paid me a Dollar and I settled my order with McCleary that I had 
on him from the Selectmen and answered all my Rates out of it and there 
was 7/7 comeing to me over and above my whole Rate and he gave me a 
Dollar of it and there is 1-7 comeing to me yet which I took his word for 
and I endorsed the back of the order to him 

20*'' I sold an Ox Yock to Zechariah Chandler for yi a Dollar unpaid and 
I went to Alexanders a writ a Deed from David McCleary of Londonderry 
to Alex'' and McGaw and 8 notes of hand for the lott no 115 3d Division I 
charged them % of a Dollar and Alex"^ is to pay me }4. and McGaw paid 
me the other by things I got as much from McGaw as came to 43/6 bay 



MATTHEW patten's DIAUY. 299 

old Tenor and his part of my paj was Discounted and I paid him the over- 
phis being 28/6 bay old Tenor 

22'^ I went to Col Goflfes and left an order there for Lieut Vose to get 
the weights and measures from Noah Parker that I bot from him for the 
town in March 1771 and after I came home I new Drawed the articles be- 
tween the partners in the forge for which I charged ^^ of a Dollar unpaid 

23'' my bror and I and Capt John Moor went to Capt Starks and got a 
Quit claim of half the logs in Anioskieg and from there to Col Goffes 
falls and I got a Gallon of Molasses and % an ounce of snuff and tobacca 
and my Expences at McGregores was 3-10-0 Hampshire old Ten' and I 
gave Samuell McFarland a summons to call witnesses to an arbitration at 
Lieut Sam'' Voses next Tuesday being the 30th Instant 

24**1 I ^Yent and cut a Walnut tree on Widow Barnetts and Split it in 
Quarters and brot home Enough for a pair of Ox bows 

25"i I got a new Shave from Mr janies Martin toward what he owes me 
it was a N : E : storm of Rain in the afternoon and Night following 

26"' John and I went and We hewed and Shaved 22 ax handles of the 
stick of Walluut I cut the 24th and another pair of Oxbows 

27"' I gave Timothy Johnson a Summons for Enoch Page in his Case 
with Samuell McFarland for which he pd me 7/9 bay old Ten'^ 

29th -^j ijj-or Samuell and I and our boys and oxen went and Twitched 
in what logs we had at Major Goffes saw Mill and I writ a power of 
attorney from Thomas Newman to Capt John Moor and took the acknowl- 
edgement unpaid 

SO"* I went to Lieiit Voses to Enoch Pages and Samuel McFarlands 
Arbitration and swore 11 Evidences and I was in McFarlands summons 
as a Witness I got liome about Midnight 

31"' Was the annual March Meeting the town chose John Bell Town 
Clerk and 1st Selectmen and Lieiit Little the 2d and janies Aiken the 3d 
and he Would not serve and then they chose Adam Dickey in his Room 
but Dickey Refused to be Sworn uiitill he could consider further I swore 
Bell as Clerk but they did not ask me to Swear any other of the ofi&cers 

APRIL FIRST 

I attended at Esquii-e Rands at the Probate Court on acct of Francis 
Barnetts Will and John Bell came to Col Goffes to be sworn a selectman 
and the Coll called me to Swear him which I did and afterward Adam 
Dickey came but would not be sworn untill farther consideration and 
janies Patterson came and Desired to be Qualified surveyor of Lumber and 
I swore him my Expences was 4/1 bay old Tenor 

2*' I paid John Perham four dollars three of them was for 1 ^4 thousand 
of brick I bot from Robins and was to be pd to Mr Carlton for which I 
gave my Note for said Carlton to John Perham but Perham had not a note 
with him to give me up but promised to take my Name from it and the 
other dollar was for his hailing the brik to the River at Col Gott'es the 
note was given the 9tli of last January the day the brick was hauld 

S"^ I worked at the highway by seabeens brook on the River and Riming 
about a Mile and half of the line between Merryniac and Bedford to know 



300 iMATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

whether any of the bridge over the brook is in Bedford but there was 
none of it in Bedford 

5* Thomas Newman Made a new shoe for my horses fore foot of my 
Iron and steeled the toe of another with his steel and made Nails to set 
the two and the afternoon I worked at turning off logs with Ca|:)t Moor 
and my brors 3 sons 

(More pages of manuscript missing.) 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM THE 19th OF APRIL 1773 

Including a part of said day 

and I paid Samuel Morrisons bror who he sent there 9-12-0 Hampshire 
old Tenor Which with a dollar I paid himself the 20th of last March made 
the whole I owed him for his makeing Shoes this last Winter and I sent 
by the same youngster 5-8-0 Hanipr old Tenor to James McCliu-e which 
with what lasts I made him paid all I owed him for makeing Shoes for us 
this last Winter 

20"' I was apprizing Francis Barnetts Estate along with Major Goffe 
and Capt John Moor 

31^' I attended the adjournment of the March meeting and I swore Lieut 
Little and Adam Dickey as selectmen and William Caldwell as Constable 
and his Father james Caldwell Collector 

and and and james Caldwell and John Bell Surveyors of Highways and 
I went about sun Set to Zechariah Chandlers Barn Raising and I paid 
Master Quinlan a Dollar toward his keeping school 

23'! I went to Goffestown and bot a i^air of oxen from Mr SaA\^"er for 
Soig Dollars the half dollar is on condition that the oxen hold out to do 
my spring work well if not it is to be but the 35 Dollars and John brot 
them home who went With me for that pui'iwse and I went and Run 
lines &c for Capt Karr in the afternoon and lodged at his house the night 
following 

23'! I went and Run Round the peice of land by Catamount brook Which 
had been laid out to John Wentworths Right for Esquire Blodgett and I 
gave him the Riming of it and came home that Night 

24th ^yp sheled out 4 bushell of Corn and I went to the ponds and I 
catched 4 pickerel 

26"' I with Major Goffe and Capt John Moor finished apprizeing Francis 
Barnetts Estate and -went to Col Goffes and attested to the apprizement 
and John went to McGaws and Got a Gallon of MoUasses and seven 
pounds of shugar on Credit and afterward he went to Capt Daniel Moors 
mill and Got the Corn Ground that we sheled out the 24th and Bob and 
our 4 Oxen helped William Barnett to plough up Grass land 

27th I w^ent to McGaws and 21^.3 Quarts of Rum and one half a pound of 
Tea for which I paid him 24/ bay old Tenor and I paid him 40/ bay old 
• Tenor for the things John Got there yesterday 

28"' I went to Richard MacAllesters to measure some land off his place 
to his son John but he was not at home and I came home without doing it 
and I took Sa^vyers ox Yock that I had to bring the Oxen home in last 



MATTHEAV PATTEN's DIARY. 301 

week to Piscataqiiog River between the bridge and Lieut Littles and I see 
Sa-\vyer there and told him of it 

29''* I writ two Deeds from Zechariah Chandler one was to Whitefield 
Gillmor and the other was to Samuell Tnrrill jnnr of the lott 16 in the Gth 
Rang and I went to Heppers and took Hannah Miirphys examination of 
her being a bastard child she swore it on one Philip Felix and came to 
Richard McAllesters and waited till near Night to lay off the land I went 
there to lay off yesterday but he was from home and I did not do it and 
John let William Newman have five bushell of potatoes 

30*'* I drawed a Warrant on the Examination I took yesterday and dated 
it yesterday because I agreed to give one yesterday 

MAY FIRST 

I got a poiiud of Butter from Thomas Boies toward wliat he is to pay 
me on Hugh Campbells acct and I hewed out two Ax handles out of the 
Stock I cut this spring at Widow Barnetts 

S"! I went to the Cedar swamp and got two three net poles and Capt 
Stark agreed with W™ Karr that if he would Give me a shad he would 
give him one tomorrow they catched 3 Salmon and 13 Shad at the falls 
today and I got 2 hundred clapboard nails and a pair of small 1 £ at 
McGregores on credit 

4"i I got a Shave from Mrs Newman for which I am to give her potatoes 
and I got a shear mould from Thomas McLaughlin it weighed 39}^ £ 
toward what he owes me on acct of Fly Netts 

5"i I went to the River on Major Goffes Notice to help ty on the Scene 
but the owners did not come and I waited till toward night and I writ a 
letter to job Dow on acct of some Abuse he gave His Wife Sister Lamb 

6"' In the afternoon eleven of the owners hung the scene and began to 
Draw a little before sunsett and drawed till nine or ten o Clock and 
catched 67 Shad in all we had 6 apeice we had 3 Quarts of Rum I paid 2 
Coppers for W"^ Newman and Goffe owes me 2 for want of change the 
wholl I pd was was 7 coppers 

7"^ I Run lines for Timothy Ferin and Ensign Moses Kelley and writ 
a Deed from Ferin to him and took the acknowledgement for which I 
charged a Dollar Kelley paid his half and a shilling over and I paid it to 
David Sa^vyer toward the oxen I had from him the 22d of last April 
I Drawed and order to him on Timothy Feavor for 9-4-0 and I gave him 
a note for 1-6-0 and what I Reed from Kelley that I paid him is Endorsed 
on the back of the note 

8"^ I sowed a bushell and a half of flaxseed and I went to the falls and 
I got 30 shad and jamey fished at the scene being the first day I had this 
year and got 170 shad and I Ijorrowed 30 from Hacket that he could not 
get home and james Martin made a nose for a Salmon pott of his Iron 

10"' I fished at the faulls and I got 135 shad and my bror Sam" and I 
got 21 £ of Salmon and 11 Shad out of the pot by setting 
11"^ I got 100 Shad at the falls and 100 at the Scene 
12»t> I got 70 Sliad at & falls 



302 MATTHEW patten's DIAIIY. 

18"^ I got 280 shad at the falls aud the boys got 60 at the Scene and we 
got 30 at the Setting place between my bror and me and 3^ a Salmon 

14th J got 90 Shad 

15th X got 43 shad at the falls and the boys got 74 at the Scene we got 
100 Ells this week I let Robert Richardson have a peck of seed corn for 
which he paid me a pistereen my expences since I was at the falls has 
been 1-7-4 Hampshire old tenor I fished at the falls untill the 10th of June 
which day I came home the 5th 7th 8th and 9th & 10th Ave worked at our 
new place for Ells the No of shad we Got this fish time I don't know we 
have 11 M barrel of shad now at home and 170 salt shad sold off and we 
have about 2 barrell of Ells my Exigences since the 15th of May I dont 
know The boys among them have sold about 14 or 15 Dollars worth of fish 

11* 12th & 14th ^ye all wed at the Corn 

15"' I went to Divide off Joseph Palmers part that he purchased from 
Moses Senter but sloped at MacGregores all day the officers of Col Goffes 
Rigiment met there today 

16"> I Divided Farmers Estate off to him & writ a Deed and a bond and 
Farmer pd me 6/ 8 LaAvf ull for my service my Expences yesterday and to- 
day for liquor snuff ferryage &c was 3-18-0 Hampshire old Tenor 

17"^ to writing a Deed for Capt Walker to Eleaz' Emersons Wife 

18"^ I went to Mr Tuttles in Goffestown to divide the peice of land at 
the Crooked falls on Piscataqiiog for him and the other owner but did not 
do it & run some (ither lines for him I charged him 4/ La: Mo: unpd and I 
^XTit a deed from W'" MaDoel to Henry Dow mcdoel paid me 2/ for that 
and other writings and Dow owes me for the acknowledgement 

22'^ I Vendued Francis Barnetts personal Estate and I bot a Draft Chain 
and a squar table a Scyth and four peices of plow plate and Tate and 
Brady psalm book came to 19-8-0 Hampshire O: T: 

23*1 I spent the day at the widows 

24*^ I went to Goffestown and Run Roiiud the lott no 6 in the north 
Rang on the River for Peter Herriman for which he paid me a Dollar and 
I took the acknowledgement of two Deeds one for Jese Karr which I gave 
him and the other for Rob* McAUow for which he pd me a shilling Law- 
ful and I lodged at Capt Karrs at free coast my Expences at Kelleys on 
this tour was 5/ Bay old Tenor 

25"' I came to Ensn Kelleys aud I Drawed a plan of his land on the 
South side of the highway and he treated me to a bowle of tody aud my 
Dinner and my Wife sent to McGaws aud got j4 £ of snuff and a pound of 
Loaf Shugar on Credit 

26"' I finished a pail for ourselves and I went and got Martain to make 
8>^ £ of plow plates and I got the Shear and Colter and bolt that he made 
for me the Shear Colter and bolt weighed Slfo £ I found the mold aud the 
Iron for the bolt and all the plates but one he Steeled the shear with his 
Steel the Colter has none on it he proposes to alow me the price of what 
Iron I found and charge me the price of made work 

28"' I went to McGregores to help to Divide Widow Godfreys 3ds be- 
tween Esquire Blodget and McGregore but they could not agree and we 
did not do anything toward Dividing and I bot a pair of Specticles from 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 303 

Molly McGregore for which I paid two pistereeus aurl I ^^Tit a Deed and 
took the ackiiowledgeiueiit from John Dunlap to joshua Tolford and we 
got among us three Salmon I got one that weighed 10 £ 

29"' we got 9 Salmon I got 3 that weighed 40 £ 

;30"> in the afternoon I went to the Raising of Lieut Littles Mill and we 
got 5 salmon I got two that weighed 20 £ 

JULY FIRST 

I got 1 Salmon that weighed 10 £ & I pd Mr Quinlan a Dollar which 
paid him all my part for his keeping school here and six shillings Bay old 
Tenor over which I gave him and I paid old Mrs Maclaughlin a Dollar 
toward the tow cloath I had from her this spring and on the 2d I went to 
McGaws and I got j4 £ of snuff which was paid by a mistake of an acct 
last spring and I got a galon of Rum and X of a hundred of Rice on credit 
and the boys hayed at Widow Barnetts and the day before 

3<^ I went to Widow Barnetts myself and my bror and I Divided v.'hat 
hay the boys got in cocks & my brors John brot my part home at Evening 
with their oxen being 12 cocks and David went to Esqr Blodgetts and 
got 2 bushell of rie and he left two bushell of Indian corn there that they 
did not grind for want of Water 

5th I -^yent in the afternoon to the Raising of james Martains house and 
Tho« McLaughlin and I catched nine Salmon one was boiled and eat for 
Supper and the other 8 Martaiu & McLaughlin & I Divided and I got my 
divid of all the salmon that has been catched since the first instant I had 
five that weighed 62 £ as my share of the 8 aforesaid and we Settled with 
Major Goffe to take him in partner and Goffe is to pay me 30 £ of Salmon 
to make up my Damage I sustained by his bad conduct these 2 years i)ast 
and I tarried all night and came home the next morning 

6"' I Drawed our fishing agreement in Writing and the boys worked at 
Hannah Barnetts place they helped their uncle the Greater part of the 
day and they brot home a load of hay of their geting it makes 21 cocks 
they have got from there in all this year and 23 cocks for the widow And 
Tho" Newman gave me a fore Quarter of Veal that weighed 13 £ 

7"' in the evening We got two Salmon that weighed 21 pound and I had 
them which makes me 15 £ ahead of Mar tain 

S"' I w^ent to Amherst to the Sessions and I carried the two Salmon we 
got yesterday with me and Smith had one and Cuttler had the other I had 
2/6 pr £ for them they came to 2-14-4 bay old Tenor they weighed 21 ^4 £ 
and I sit in the Sessions and I took two depositions for Lieut John Parker 
and one for Gilbert McCay I charged half a Dollar for each of them to pay 
and McCay paid me a pisteereen toward his )^ dollar 

d^^ I sit in the Sessions and at Evening they were adjourned to the 3 
Tuesday in August next and I tarried iintill next day 

10"! I came home my Expences was 2-15-6 bay old Tenor and I bot a 
bell for my Sheep for which I paid a pistereen and while I was gone Mar- 
tain got 42 £ of Salmon and we got 12 and one of 10 £ they lent to Tlio^ 
McLaughlin 

12"' this morning I got 36 £ of Salmon and Martain got two that 



304 MATTHEW patten's DIAIIY. 

weighed £ aud I gave W'" Morrow one half of a Sahiioii that weighed 23^3| 
aud the other half I gave to my hror Sam" and I got two Syths from Dea- 
con Gillmor on Credit which I Expect will be Settled in my acct ^vith his 
son James and I got Y^ a Salmon more that weighed 5 £ and Martain 
tother I., and I gave my half to Ensign Patterson 

14*'^ there "Was a Good Refreshing Rain last night and several showers 
went Round bnt none came here I bent 3 ox bows and a Scoop nett bow 
we conld do nothing with the hay & our Taz cow took Biill and I "svrit a 
deed from Lieut Sam^' Gregg to james McCurdy of his place above Amos- 
Ivieg Falls 

16"' I went to McGaws and I g(5t 7 £ of shugar and a pound of snuif for 
which I paid him a Dollar and I got j^ a thousand of board nails on credit 
and I had a bowle of Tody for which I paid him six pence Lawful and the 
boys finished mowing the meadow at home 

17**^ I took tow cloath to Heppers to make me two pan* of britches and I 
got some White ash for Scoope net bows and the boys plowed among the 
corn and Raked some hay 

19"' I went to Hugh Orrs and I writ a Deed from William Barron to 
Hugh Orr of the Meadow lott no 31 & 32 and I took the acknowledgement 
all unpaid and in the afternoon Barron and I came to james Pattersons 
and I Run the lines of the meadow lott no 43 and writ a Deed of it to Pat- 
terson from Barron and took the acknowledgement unpaid and my John 
and my brors Sam" and John mowed at Widow Barnetts for me toward 
Evening it looked like fowle weather and the boys left off mowing before 
night and Bob went to McGaws and got a Gallon of Rum and half a pound 
of Tea on credit and janiey and him got in the last of the hay of oui- o\\t:i 
meadow 

20"' the boys and I went to Widow Barnetts and we Raked up what the 
boys mowed in the forenoon and then it began to wet and we could not get 
up what the mowed the afternoon and I -writ another Deed from Lieut 
Gregg to james McCurdy and he paid me 2/ for the two Deeds and I took 
the acknowledgement and would not take any pay for it from McCurdy 

21^1 I butchered our motle Cows calf it weighed 49 £ and the boys and I 
went to widow Barnetts and workt at the hay 

22 & 23'! We workt at the hay at widow Barnetts and we got all in cock 
and we Carted in 23 cocks for them and 9 we brot home and loaded 9 more 
and Sett the Cart in the Barn over night and it came on Rain 

24tii ^yg i^rot home the load that was on the cart we left 31 cocks stand- 
ing in the field and my Wife sold 20 shad fish to William Killsey and took 
a Dollar and 5 to Deacon Rob' White and took one fourth of a Dollar for 
them and Since I have been at widow Barnetts my Wife put of 40 Shad to 
James Greggs Wife of Newboston for four yards of linin cloath and 10 she 
gave her she brot us 2 Quarters of Veal a present and I took the acknowl- 
edgement of a Deed from Zechariah Chandler to Whitefield Gillmor and 
the acknowledgement from Chandler to Sanmel Turrill Junior and they 
both paid me and Turrill paid me 1/6 old Tenor toward the acknowledge- 
ment of a Deed from his father to him and Chandler paid me for 's\Titing 
both the Deeds they were ■writ last April 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. . 305 

26"' johu and Bob and I went to widow Barnetts and took in 15 cocks 
and we brot 7 cocks home and John and Bob went back there and tarried 
all iiiffht there is nine cocks to bring- home in the morning and I took the 
acknowledgement of a Deed for Capt Stinson and would not take anything 
for it the Deed was from Capt Allds 

27"^ I sent David to McGaws and sent a Dollar he brot a Gallon of Rum 
and I sent word to send no change but to give me credit for it and we 
Reaped 10 1.^ stook of Rie and took in 13 Stooks and two sheaves into the 
barn 

28"' Charles Black came and Reaped for me while I ^\Tit a Deed from 
Capt Daniell Moor to him of the lott he lives on and a Deed from him to 
John McConihe of the same and a Bond of Defeazance from McConihe to 
him We Reaped 18 stooks 

29th ^;^^^ finished Reaping in the forenoon and got it all in we lack a 
sheaf of 40 stooks in the whole and we Carted in the flax we have 62 Stook 
of flax and we went to the Little Meadow after Dinner and began to Mow 
the first of our mowing there this year we mowed 13 cocks 

30"' we mowed and Raked hay at the meadow the Boys lay in the 
meadow and I lay at Mr Caldwells the last night and yesterday David got 
a Gallon of Rum and foiir pound of Cotton from McGaw on Credit 

31**' we mowed and Raked and and Bob came home last night and him 
and David took home a jag of hay the Rest of us lay in the meadow we 
got up 57 cocks in all we Raked up 4 cocks that must be shaked out again 
the Rest is well hayed 

AUGUST 2d & 3d 

I made a sett work wooden Bottle that held a Gallon on the 2d the boys 
brot home one load of hay and on the 3^^ 2 load 4"' the boys brot home one 
load of hay which was all that we have in cock but two or three and I 
shaved and bent five scoop uett Bows and we Shelled out two Bushell of 
corn 

4"' I went and Round Round the meado^y lott no 9 in the Great Meadow 
for Gau Riddell for which he paid me one half a Dollar and Bob went to 
McGaws and Got a Gallon of Rum on Credit and-'john and jamey came to 
the meadow and began to mow in the Biu-nt lott and I came and lay in 
the meadow with them the at night 

5"' my brors Sam^i came to mow for me and we mowed the forenoon 
and it Rained so hard and appeared like a Storm that we left off at Noon 
and came home 

6"' Cloudy all day we plowed our cow yard and sowed it with Turnip 
seed and I WTit a Deed from Zechariah Chandler to Geo Cowen of 2/5 of 
No 22 in the 5th Range for which lie paid me a Shilling Lawful and I 
took the acknowledgement ff;r Cowen and I ^vTit a deed of sd lott from 
George to his mother and took the ac^knowledgement and it answered to 
his mother for her bsing an Evidence when Mr Houston prosecuted my 
wife being i;,' a Dollar 

7"' Bob and David began to plow in the lieLl by my brors & I worked at 
20 



306 ]MATTHEW PATTEX'8 DIARY. 

a pail and John and jamey went to the meadow in the afternoon and 
turned the hay we mowed the 5th and mowed 4 cocks 

9"^ we Raked up the hay at the meadow and got home a load out of the 
Burnt lott we have 25 cocks in it this year we Raked up 43 in no today 
but they were small cocks 

10"' a considerable Rain in the fore part of the day and it cleared up in 
the after part of the day and John and jamey and I went to the meadow 
and mowed a few cocks and lay in the meadow all night 

11"> we mowed the fore part of the day and Shaked out 12 cocks of what 
we Raked the 9th and jamey Patterson and his bror Nath" came after 
dinner & we all raked untill night and got all into cock that -we had 
mowed and Bob and David took home two load today 

12"^ the Pattersons staid over night and helped us till the middle of the 
forenoon and we finished mowing Exceept some picking in the Governor 
lott and Bob and David took home two load today and Pattersons got 
what Grass seed could be Reaped off of what was to mow when they come 
to us yesterday and we put it all in cock 

13"* I had my brors old Oxen and Cart and I brot nine cocks home with 
them in the forenoon and Bob brot honie another and I went and brot 
hom a load in the Evening the Night following was a heavy Rain the 
latter part of the night 

14"' Rained very hard sometime in the morning 

16"' I brot home two load of hay from the meadow and the boys Dryed 
the hay 

17"' we had my brors young Oxen and brot home 14 cocks which was 
the last but the pickings among the bushes and I went to Amherst to the 
Sessions and sit in them 

IS"* I attended the Sessions 

19"' I came home in the forenoon my Expences was 1-18-1 Bay old 
Tenor I bot % £ of Tea and % £ of peper and % ounce of snuff from Esqr 
Guttler for which I paid him 1-6-2 Bay old Tenor and I paid /lO Bay old 
Tenor to David Ramseys man for mending my stirrup leather which I 
broke as I got to Hildi-eths • 

20"* William Morrow came and got 60 shad fish which I gave him on 
acct of his Right in Nutts Scene that I got of him which I gave him more 
than my bargain 

2P' John Warren got 40 Shad for which he paid me two Dollars and he 
paid me another Dollar and is to get 20 sliad more for it and I made of 
a pail for Mrs Mar tain and my wife took it to her and jamey and Bob 
thrashed Rie and Jacob Hepper got 30 shad on Credit 

23<i I went to McGaws and got a pound of sniift" and a pair of shears 
and 2 Gimblets and % of a pound of Cotton for which I paid 42/ Bay old 
Tenor and I got an Ivory Comb on Credit of 7/ Bay old Tenor price and 
I wont to the little meadow and we began to clear in the Governor lott 

24"' I qualified Hiigh Orr a Surveyor of highways and I went to job 
Dows mill and got 3 biishell of Rie Ground and I had H a bowle of tody 
for which I paid -3 bay old Tenor and Tho" Nt'wman put a hoop on each 
of our pudding pann Kittels and would charge nothing for them 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIAEY. 307 

25*'^ janiey and I cleared at the little meadow and Martha Mclnnosh got 
47 shad and pd 5-6-0 Bay old Tenor for them and my wife gave her 6 
more a present and Bob and David plowed in the field by my brors 

26"^ My wife let David Sawyer have 30 shad and 10 £ of Salmon which 
pd up the last of the note for the oxen I bot from him the 22d of last April 
being two Dollars and jamey and I cleared at the little meadow and Bob 
and David plowed in the field by my brors 

27"' jamey worked all day at the highway by Tho" Lances and I was 
half a day at the bridge by Zechariah Chandlers and it came on Rain that 
we left oft" and I shaved hoops for two iiails in the afternoon 

28"' I worked at the bridge by Chandlers all day and I found 250 feet of 
pine plank to Cover it and we spread our flax in my Brors Meadow 

30"' I pd Rob* McGregQre all I owed him being 7/ 10 Lawful and I had 
2}4 £ of Loaf shugar from him for which I paid him i^ a Dollar and I had 
2^ yards of Brown Broadcloath from him on trust at 3 Dollars pr yard 
and I had a bowle of tody for which I paid 12/ Hanip' old Tenor and Ensn 
Benjamin Vickere got 10 Shad to be paid in Indian Corn 

31^' I finished makeing a pail for Steven Frenches wife and my wife 
carried it to her and I paid james Houstous son John 25/ Bay old Tenor 
toward the 4 turning hooks he made our Bob 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I got 7 £ of shugar and 2 Dozn of Coat and a Dozu of jacoat Bottons and 
2 sceaus of Mohair and S^o yds of ferrit from McGaw on Credit came to 
2-14-3 Bay old Tenor and John McClary paid my wife 5 Dollars for shad 
fish and got away 40 and he has 60 more to get 

2'i I paid james Houstous son John 1 7/6 Bay old Tenor toward the four 
turning hooks he made for Bob and I went to the meadow to help the 
boys towai'd night and I Cut my left legg with the breaking up hoe 

3"^ I went to Dows mill and got 1 ^4 bushell of Rie Ground and I had 3^ 
a bowle of tody at Kelleys and i^ bowle att Dows for which I paid 14 
a pistereeu and I paid my brors Betty 3-16-6 Bay old Tenor for 4)^' yards 
of Cloath called Scy to line the coat I am about to get made 

4th I -^yrif fj, Deed from Henry Dow to Stephen Tuttle and took the 
a(;knowledgenient for Tuttle both unpaid and I was so much out of case 
with the Cut I got on my leg last Thursday tliat I could not move all day 

6"' Mr Hepper came to make the coat that I got the cloath at 
McGregores the 30th of last month and I writ a Deed from Samuell 
Rankin to Daniell Moor Capt and took the acknowledgement both uuiod 
and I lay by mth the Cut on my leg and jamey and Bob worked at the 
County Road 

7"' John jamey and Bob workt at the County Road and I sent to 
MacCxn 'gores (By my brors Betty) and got ^^^ o^ Tea a Skean of Silk 
and a quarter of a yard ( )f buckram on credit 

8"' jamey and Bob worked at the County Road bridge 

9"' I went to McGaws and got 28 Black jett jacoat buttons for which 
I paid him one Shilling lawfull money and the boys tyed and Shocked 
what stalks v.'ere cut and there was a heavy shower of Rain just at night 



308 3IATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

10*'' I went to MacGregores and I got a Gallon of Rum for which I paid 
a pistereen and 2 coppers 

11"' I went along with Capt Daniell Moor and Lient David Poor to 
assist in Runing the line between their home lott (viz) No 47 & 48 Capt 
Moor is to pay me a pistereen and a half for my service and Sam'' 
McKillnp cutt and sowed up the Quarters of my shoes and Ensn Benja- 
min Vickere got 50 Shad and is to be paid in Corn and Cornet John 
Graham got 40 Shad to be paid next Wednessday at Amherst 

13*'' I wrrit a Deed from james Barr to his son James of the Easterly 
half of his place and I took the acknowledgement for which young james 
paid me 2/ La : Mo : and he gave me two shillings more to pay the 
Regording and sent the Deed with me to Amherst to give to the Recorder 
And I went to Amherst to help Examin the County accts 

14"' On the business of Examining the Goal accts 

15*'' the Sessions met by adjoiu-nment but we could not get the accts 
gone through by Reason of the Superiour Coiu't sitting and the sessions 
was adjourned without Day 

16*'' I stayed and heard the Tryal of Isreal Wilkens for Killing his father 
Isreal being the first Capital Tryal in the County he was found guilty of 
manslaughter he was Branded next day with the letter T on the right hand 

17*'' I Retiu'ued home I bot a pound of snuff from a peddler for which I 
paid 20/3 Bay old Tenor and I bot an ounce of Snuff and 6 Biskuit for 
which I paid 5 Bay old Tenor my Expenees was 2-14-0 Bay old Tenor and 
I writ a Deed from Chandlers heii- to John Morrison of the half of 
McDugal lott so called and took the aclviiowledgemeut for which Enos 
Bradford paid me 2/ Lawi'ull and Parker Emerson Summoned me in Lieut 
Poor and Capt Moors case and gave me a quarter of a Dollar and Matthew 
Little paid me two shillings to pay for the Recording the Deed he gave his 
Bror james Daugliters 

18*'' David McCleary Senr came and got 60 shad his son John paid for 
them the 1st day of this Instant 

20*'' I writ a deed from Henry Dow to William White Senr of Dows 
land at penny Meadow and I took the acknowledgement all unpaid and I 
went to james Willsons in Newboston and got a bushell of Winter Wheat 
to Sow for which I paid him a Dollar 

21"* I attended the Vendiie of the personall Estate of Francis Barnett 
and I bot 12 Cydar barrels at 1/ each and an old pair of leather Breeches 
7/6 and I tarryed all night it was near morning before we broke up 

22'* I came home in the forenoon and I sowed two bushell of Rie in the 
field by my brors 

23*' I finished sowing the field by my brors I sowed five bushell and 
about a peck of Rie in it and I took my oxen to Silas Walkers to Pasture a 
little before night 

24*'' My Oxen came home themselves 

27*'' I went to Daniell McFarlands to try to get my oxen pastured 

28*'' I took my oxen as far as Samuell McFarlands and he promised to 
take them to his Brors that Evening and I took the last of our Indian 
corn being 1%, bushell and 4 Quarts to Patees mill and got it Ground 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 309 

29"! I went along with John Neal to Goffestown to help apprize the 
Right of laud that was Major Blauchards which he took possession of for 
Col Mixilton Parker Emerson was the sheriff and Sani'i Richards of Goffes- 
town and Ephraini Emerson of Wear was the other two apprizers 

30"' I got home in the afternoon Neal is to pay me he bore my Expences 
and I got Jese Karr to steel the toes of mj horses fore shoes and sett 
them for which I paid them 1 shilling Lawful 

OCTOBER FIRST 

I got David Moor to sole my pumps he found all I worked for him while 
he was mending and which answered for his sowing them on the soles he 
charged which I paid 3 or 3 years ago by Runiug lines 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM OCTOBER FIRST 1773 

2'' We settled our School house accts among the partners we Reed 
Stephen French and Zechariah Chandler in full shares with us that built 
it each of our parts in cash was 23 £ Hanip"^ Old Tenor and each part in 
Labour & stuff was 31-3-0 Hamp"^ old Tenor the bricks for the chimneys 
was not Reckoned we have them to Settle yet 

4"^ the boys and I got in corn and put up husks &c 

5"^ Hugh Ramsey got 40 shad whicdi makes 160 in all this Summer for a 
Saddle and bridle from his son David that he is to get for me and Mrs 
Hopper got 6 shad and we husked corn and plowed 

6"' I sowed the bushell of wheat I got at james Willsons and about 13 
quarts of Rie and we got in corn the afternoon 

7th I went to Aiiiherst and attended the Sessions and Examined att the 
Goall accts 

8*'^ I Examined att the Treasurers accts and attended the Sessions 

9"' I came home and got one half a pound of Tea from Lieut Baldwin 
for which I paid 16/ Bay old Tenor and two pound of redwood from 
Esquire Cuttler for w^hich I paid 3/6 Bay old Tenor and in comeing home I 
got a pound of snuff from Alex'' Brown for which I paid 30/ Bay old 
Tenor my Expences was 31/ Bay old tenor 

ll»'i I coppyed at off what Lieut John Parker had of a new play Visions 
Dreams &c 

12"^ I went to Londonderry with Capt Daniell Moor to sit in a Refer- 
ance in his case and Lieut Daniell Poors met at David Craigs and began 
the business and lodged there 

13"' there all day on the affair and and we all agreed in judgment and 
finished and broke iip about two of the Clock in the morning and lodged 
there that night the Other Referees was Mr Rob' Young of New Salem 
and Nathaniel Peabody Esquire of Atkinson we the Referees gave the 
partys a treat of half a Dollar Esqr Peabody and I had 2j4 Dollars each 
And Robert Young had three Dollars for his notifieing the partys of the 
time and place of hearing and Returning the Rule 

14th jj^y Expences last night was at Craigs was /9 Lawful and I came to 
Col Hollands w^ho invited me to breakfast which I accepted and came 
home in the Evening and I brot home about a bushell and a half of spring 



310 ]NrATTHEW patten's DIARY, 

wheat from W'" Morrows which Rob' Forsith sent a present to me by him 

IS'i^ jamey and I went to the Little Meadow and biu-ned the brush we 
cleared this faiill 

16''^ I sent by John a little more than a bushell of new Indian corn being 
the first this year and a biishel and a half of Rie to Capt Moors Mill and 
got the Indian ground 

18*^ we diged potatoes and John sett off for Coos 

igih I "vvent to Capt Moors to get the Rie ground but could not for want 
of Water and the boys got two load of Wood 

20"' we diged potatoes and I writ a deed from John Parker Junr to his 
Bror Matthew of his place in Litchfield and took tlie acknowledgement 
to be paid in money or Grain the first time I am at his house 

21 St "vye finished diging potatoes we have a small crop 

22*1 I went to McGaws and got 7 £ of shugar and paid 25/ Bay old 
Tenor for it and I paid McGaws wife 38/ Bay old Tenor on Stephen 
Frenches acct toward his part of the school house and my bror paid me 
his part that remained toward the school house being 55/ Bay old Tenor 
and I paid it to McGaws wife at the same time being in the whole 4-13-0 
Bay old Tenor and I went to McGregores and I got ^ £ of Tea and a Dozen 
of small needles and three Darning needles for which I paid 44/2 Hamp'' 
old Tenor 

23'i I sowed three bushell of rie on the land I had in corn this year and 
William Morrow brot me a Barrel of vinigar from Rob* McMurphys and I 
let him have a Barrel full of shad fish containing 106 he found the barrel 
to put the Vinigar in and he has the barrel the fish is in for it he is to pay 
the fish in Corn they came to five dollars and a pistereen I answer his 
ferryage and I gave him share of a bowle of Cherry tody at Rands 

25"' I sowed a bushell of Rie on the land where the corn grew this year 
and I went to Ensin Kelleys with John Neal to see to help to settle about 
the land he attached for Col Moulton in Goffestown they chose 2 new 
apprisers (viz) Ensn Kelley and Benj" Stevens and left me and Mr Emer- 
son out and I swore them Lieut Patte and Phillip Farren paid the Expen- 
ces they provided a Good Dinner and good Tody 

26"' I writ a petition for Hannah Barnett and my bror Sam'i to the 
judge of Probate unpd 2/ and I vrrit a Deed from Zechariah Chandler to 
Patrick Murfay and others unpd and I sowed allmost j4 a bushell of Rie 
and I went to John Bells and got the 4 bushell of Rie that jamey Patterson 
owed me it is about two year ago that I lent it to him to Sow 

27"' I finished Sowing what was in Indian corn of the old land I sowed 
there six bushell and about a peck and I made out my acct to Moses Bar- 
ron for my apprizeing his fathers Estate and for my helping to make the 
Coffin it amounted in the wholl to 4-18-0 La'svful money 

28"' I went to McGaws and I got )4 a Gallon of Rum and pd a pistereen 
for it and I had a yard of Tamey on credit and I came to the little 
meadow to Run the lines between jamey Smith and me we run the line 
between us in the westerly tier of lotts but we could not agree to Run 
line in the Easterly tier he would have the overmeasure which his plan 
did not give him but it give it me Alex'^ Gillcrist was the Surveyor we 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY, 311 

paid him between us his wholl charge was 5/ Lawful! I paid him two 
pistereeus for luy part aud there Remains due to him from me nine pence 
Bay old tenor 

39"' I went to Litchfield to try to Settle the affair of Col Moulton seize- 
ing- no (5 in the Rang on the River in Goffestown John Neal aud the 
claimers Settled the affair themselves they gave 100 £ laAvfull to the lott 
and 10 £ a present they paid 2 Dollars to Neal among them and he gave 
me one of them toward my trouble Neal paid all my Expeuces at Keun- 
dels only 6/ Bay old Tenor and my f enyage which 2/3 Bay old tenor and 
half a pint of W I Rum for which I pd 2/6 Bay old Tenor and I got 2 
Ounces of pins from McGaw for which I pd 5/ Bay O : T : and Zech 
Chandler sent 3 Dollars to Doer Parker one was for whitefield Gillmur 
and 2 was for Tho^ Newman of Derryfield which I paid and got a Rect for 
cash and I reed 3-8-0 Bay old tenor toward his part of the school house 
and I paid it to McGaw as I went to Litchfield aud I tarried at Nathan 
Kenndalls over night 

30"i I came home and gave old Mr Tuttle a Warrant against Eben'' 
Woods unpaid 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

last night I vras taken with the Rosse in my legg and I got up in the 
morning but was so much out of case that I was obliged to go to Bed and I 
sweat freely 

2'i I lay almost all day and Sv^eat & Sam" McFarland Cut my calves 

3'' I keept up about half the day but was very poorly and John came 
home from being at the 2 Cohosses he was gone a fortnight aud a Day 

4"' I could not do any business the latter part of the week I got 4 bushell 
of corn Ground at Capt Moors mill 

8"^ I drawed a plan of the work I did in Piermont for Mr Moses Little 
of Newbiu-yport 

9"' I finished drawing the plan And I went to Sam" McFarlands to 
attend an arbitration between him & John Tod and tarryed at MacFar- 
lands over night 

10"^ I sold my Sparked Ox to Daniell McFarland for 18>4 Dollars ten 
dollars to be paid in 3 months and the Remainder in six months with 
Intrest till paid 

11"' I set out for Exeter a Mr Moses Little of Newbury port Desire With 
the plan of Piermont to the Tryal between Haverhill and Piermont and 
lodged at Towles 

12"' I started before Sun Rise aud went to Exeter and put up at Capt 
Gillmans and found Mr Lowell and gave him the plan according to Mr 
Littles direction and he informed me that Mr Little went oft" for New- 
buryport the day and left no orders witli Mr Lowell to pay me as I under- 
stood he would and I set out after I had breakfast and got home after 
night my Expences was 5-1-0 Hamp old tenor on this journey I have 
charged Mr Little for the plan and this journey horse hire and Expeuces 
Six Dollars 

13"' I took the acknowledgements of 2 Deeds for one Giles Alexander of 



812 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Boston in the township of Draper I went to Martains and Capt Walkers I 
charged lialf a Dollar which he paid 

15th J "vvent to McGaws and got half a pound of Tea for which I paid 
him 35/ Bay old Tenor and I got three bushell of corn Ground at Capt 
Moors Mill 

16"* I examined the proprietors book for Tho^ Bakers in Souhegan East 
and wi'it an acct of Record & I charged a pistereen and Lieut Weson paid 
it and I went to Samuell McFarlands and brot home my lind ox he was a 
fortnight at Daniell McFarlands and they almost 5 weeks at Samuel Mc- 
Farlands he they would take nothing for their keeping 

17111 I went to Londonderry to John Pinkertons and got a bushell of salt 
for which I paid half a Dollar 

Igth Francis Dimond sent a boy of Widow Stewarts of Merrymac and 
got the 20 shad that johu Warner paid for the 21st of last Aug' and got 40 
shad more that the boy paid the money for 

19th ^g gQ\i^ William Barnett to Butcher our lined back ox he weighed 
432 of beaf and 72 of hide and he killed a sow that we were fatting that 
proved to be with pig Se weighed 127 pound and I went with Solomon 
Hutchinson to apprize a hundred acres of by Thomas Boies of Alex' Orrs 
estate my prizeing unpaid 

20"' I went to Rob' McGregores and wiit two Deeds from Jonathan 
Martain to one John Quimby of his place in Goffestown and I took the 
acknowledgement of lioth Deeds and Martain paid me a Dollar and I got a 
jack knif from McGregore for which I paid 18/ O: T: 

22'' I discharged a note I had given to Samuell Griggs of six pounds 
eight shillings new Tenor in March 1758 I had paid the tax on his land in 
Bedford sd year which was 5-9-0 New Tenor and I paid him the ballauce 
which was 28/8 and the afternoon I went and Run lines for Rob' Alexan- 
der and Jacob McGaw about the third Division no 115 but found out noth- 
ing certain of the line 

23'i was on the same biisiness for Alexander and McGaw but did not 
finish 

24"* we finished and made out the lines of it at night today I got from 
McGaw a Gallon of Molasses and half a Gallon of Rum and two ounce of 
plums and half an ounce of Nuttmegs on Credit 

25"* WAS THANKSGIVEING THROUGH THE PROVINCE 

26"* I went and divided the lott 115 between McGaw and Alexander and 
writ the Quitclaim between them and took the acknowledgement I 
charged them for all my Rtming the lines dividing the ^vritings &c four 
Dollars McGaw gave me credit in his book and Alexander is to pay two 
Dollars in Grain and I tarried over night at McG^aws 

27"* I got 7^iy yards of broadcloath from McGaw at 50/ Bay old Tenor pr 
yard came to 8)3 Dollar for w^hich I gave my Note to be paid the 1st of 
next May with Intrest from that time untill paid & jamey & Bob worked 
at the highway 

29'i* John and I went and Run the lines of home lott no 42 on Merri- 
mack River below Capt Barrens old place for Mr Gould of Chelmsford I 
charged a Dollar for my own time and half a Dollar for Johns and jamey 



MATTHEW patten's DIATtV. 313 

and Bob worked at cutiug stuif to bridge the run which with what work 
and plank I found for the bridge by Zechariah Chandlers paid my high- 
way Rate 

30"> I Run lines for IMatthew McDuffie and John Orr McDufiie paid me 
half a Dollar for half of the day and Orr owes me half a Dollar for the 
other half of the day 

DECEMBER 

First I Run lines for William Henry of Merrymac to be paid in Grain 

2<i was a Misty wet and I came home 

3'' I took three bushell of our own corn to Capt Moors mill and got it 
ground 

4"> I cut about 40 hoop poles and I went to Col Goffes to appoint when 
we woiild Run the lines at the Gore between Moses Vickeres aud james 
Gillmors 

gth I -svent to Meet William Low to Capt Allds to help to settle between 
him and William Howard about land that Howard had in possession of his 
which was accomplished I charged a Dollar and Low paid it and it Rained 
and I lodged at Allds over night 

7"^ I came home and breakfasted by the way at Capt Moors and he aud 
Col Goft'e and I Run the lines of the Gore between Moses Vickeres and 
james Gillmors Capt Moor found a quart of West India Rum and some 
loaf shugar which came to 8/8 Bay old tenor and my Exigences this day 
was 5/6 Bay old tenor and I paid McGaw 4-17-0 Bay old tenor being the 
last of Stephen Frenchs part of the school house money and 2/ Bay old 
Tenor old Tenor being being the last of Zechariah Chandlers part of the 
school hous money Frenclies part I Reed from him yesterday aud yesterday 
Tho'* Newman sett four shoes on my horse feet 

8"' I ruu lines for William Henry and I got two bushell of Rie from him 
and I got it Ground at Capt Moors and I had the toal and am to have the 
toal of all the Grain I shall have ground at his mill this year for pay 

9"^ I Run lines for Capt Moor and Ensn Vickere to be paid in Equal 
halves and I took two bushell of Rie from home and had it Ground it was 
toaled by Mistake 

10*'^ it rained a Considerable quantity last night and Rains on today the 
wind at North aud I writ a conveyance from james Martain to Zechariah 
Chandler of a quarter part of the Forge and was dated back to the time he 
bot unpaid 

11"' I Divided oflf 8 acres of Richard McAllesters place to his son John 1 
charged two shillings unpaid and I Run the lines of Robert Kennedys old 
place for Capt Daniell Moor I charged 4/ unpaid 

13"' I went to Amoskeig falls to view our Eel place & I got half a pound 
of peper aud io ^ bowle of Tody at McGregores for which I paid a quarter 
of a Dollar and I ^YTit four advertisements for jonas Cutting and appraizo 
Warrant for Heifer he intended to pound to Morrow unpd 

14"' Samuell and james Patterson and I went to work at the Eel place 

15"' Sanuw^ll and james Patterson worked at it and I came home and 
got james Martin to make a Drill and a l)olt out of the dog part of our old 
adii'ous aud I went up that night 



314 MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIAItY. 

W^ and 17*'! we were on the same bussiuess we lived at McGregores 
our Expeuces in partnership was 10 £ I paid 4-14-4 Hamp'' old Tenor of it 
and I lent jaines Patterson 20/3 Bay old ten' to help pay his a]id I got a. 
cake of soap from McGregors on credit 

IS'ii I planed a tract of land for Lieut John Parker that his father bot 
for tax in Litchfield in the year 1740 and I vrrit a Deed from Silas Barron 
to John Aiken of the meadow lott No 29 in the ash swamp and I took the 
acknowledgement and Silas paid me a shilling for writing the deed and 
Aiken owes me for the acknowledgement and Silas gave me an order to 
one Morrow of Charleston for a fawn mooss skinn (that he has dressing 
for him) for a pair of Spaterhash as Silas had from me in the time of the 
last war and it began to snow about Dusk 

19"» it snowed all last night and some all day the snow fell about 8 
inches deep 

20*'' jamey and I cut about two jaggs of wood and in the evening I writ 
two Notifications for a proprietors meeting to be held at Oapt Moors the 
3d of next January 

21^' jamey and Bob cut wood and I brot two jaggs home and the cleavis 
hole gave way and we had to fasten a chain to draw by and in makeing a 
wedge to fasten the chain Roiiud the spear I sjilit the thumb of my left 
hand the A glanced on the bone and it cut quit through as far forward as 
the fore part of the Nail and back behind the joint in the middle of my 
thumb I did no business till Saterday the 25th 

25"i I went and got 4 bushell of corn from Nathaniel Clark toward what 
he owes me and I got a Gallon of Molasses a pound of snuff and half a 
pound of alspice 6}^ yards of Red Quality and a Gimblett and a pint of 
West Indian Rum from McGaw on Credit and I took the corn to Capt 
Moors mill and got two bushell of it Ground the other was so wet we 
could not grind it and it began to Rain about Nine oclock and Rained 
very hard all the Remainder of the night 

26"> It Rained a good deal today and the Rain took the snow all gone 

27"' a pleasant day the Rain and Snow made a good freshet in the 
River 

28"^ and the night before there fell about five inches of Snow it snowed 
all day 

oQth -^m ]>^ewmaii made a new link for one side of my treases part liis 
iron and part mine and a new like for a Draft chain of Major Goffes iron 
and shut the link of another Draft chain 

30"' I went to McGaws and got seven Quarts of Rum and a pound of 
shugar came to 37/10 Bay old Tenor on credit on the Proprietors of this 
to^vn acct for the sale of the timber on the school lott so called and went 
to John Orr the place of the Vendue and we adjourned to Next Monday to 
the house of Capt Daniell Moor at three of the Clock in the afternoon by 
Reason that Col Goiie could not get across the River to the Vendue 

31^' I took a bushell and about 4 or 5 qiiarts of Rie with me to Capt 
Moors and got it Ground and the two bushell of corn that I left there last 
saterdav that I got at Clarks 



MATTHE\y patten's diaev. 315 



JANUARY FIRST 1774 

was a cloudy day and snowed a little and moderate 

8'^ I weut to Ensign Vickere and got -1 biishell of corn toward the sliad 
he got this last siininier and took it to Capt Moors mill and got it Ground 
and I attended a proprietors meeting there of this town and after the 
meeting was over Col Goffe and james Vose and I sold the timber on the 
lotts 21 and 22 in the 9th Rang to W>" Caldwell and Matthew McDnffie 
for 387 £ hanip old tenor we had a Gallon of rum & a pound of Brown 
shugar for the Vendue from McGaw and charged to me and Capt Alld and 
my bror and I sent for half a Gallon of West Indian Rum and a pound of 
loaf shugar I paid 5/9 Bay old tenor toward it & I had two ginues from 
Moses Barron to my appraizing his fathers Estate and I paid james Cald- 
well my province & county & school 

4*'' I spent untill one or two of the clock in the afternoon a coppying off 
the articles of sale and the affairs of the Vendue for the purchasers of the 
timber we sold at the Vendue last night takeing their notes for the money 
&c and then I went to McGregores and got 12)'2 yards of Binding for my 
surtute and half a bowle of tody for which I paid a pistereen 

otii I went to McGaws and I got a Gallon of Molasses and half a Gallon 
of Rum and 3)^ Dozen of coat buttons and a stick of hair and a pound of 
loaf shugar for which I paid him 3-0-6 Bay old Tenor and janiey sent 4/6 
to buy a pair of Garters and I got them for 3/4 and I brot him the change 

6"^ a Verj" pleasant moderate day appeared like a weather breeder and 
began to snow in the evening 

7"' it had fell 4 or 5 inches deep of snow by morning and I went to Mc- 
Gregore and got a yard of Buclvram and ^4 o^ ^ hundred of shingle nails 
and 34 of a hundred of clapboard nails for them and Buckram I paid 14/8 
Bay old Tenor 

8"* I weut to McGaws and I got 4 yards of Shallon at 17 pr yd and 8 
coat Buttons and a Stick of hair and half a Mug of W I tody for which I 
paid 10-3-1 lawfuU money and I left two meal bags at Ensign Vickeres to 
get corn in 

10"^ a very cold day and the night very extream 

IV^ the cold still continues and I ■\\Tit a deed from William Barron of 
the home lott no 11 on Babusuck for which they paid me 2/ and the ac- 
knowledgement 

12"^ the cold little moderated we got home two load of wood each day of 
yesterday and today 

13''' I A\Tit a deed from Nenian Aiken to Rob* Mathies and I took the 
acknowledgement Aiken paid me a shilling for the deed and I gave Robert 
the acknowledgement 

14*'' was a snowy day it fell abovit 8 inches deep 

15"' I went to the forge and I got our andirons mended by William 
Newman the Dog parts they weighed 18 £ he mend a pair for us before by 
puting in new dogs about the same size 

17"' I weut to Joseph Palmers at Moses Seuters desire and I filled up a 
Blank Deed and writ another and took the acknowledgement of three 



316 MATTHEW patten's diahy. 

Deeds I charged a Dollar and Seuter paid me and I come to McGregores 
and I cashed up a parcel of Notes between Seuter and Daniell McNeal and 
I got ^2 ^ gallon of E.nm and a pound of loaf shugar for which I paid him 
47/ Hampr old Tenor and I paid three coppers for half an ounce of snuff 
and I paid him half a dollar for a pair of plated buckles I had from him 
last September as I Remember 

IQt'i I got 4 bushell of corn from Ensn Vickere which paid the 60 shad 
he had from me and half a day this fall Runing hues with the 4 bushell I 
had off him before and somewhat over but I have not settled %vith him 
yet & I got it Ground at Capt Moors & I had the toal 

20*^^ I went and got two bushell of Rie from Robert Alexander toward 
my runing lines for him this fall and I got a gallon of molasses and a 
pound of Snuff and a pound of Coffie at McGaws for which I paid 45/ Bay 
old tenor and I had the Rie ground at Capt Moors but I had not the toal 
through mistake 

21^' I sett out for Hollis by the way of Amherst and had Martaius horse 
and was to do some business with the Comtee for the Goal for him and I 
got it settled in the evening at Smiths and I lodged at Hildreths and I 
Reed two dollars from William Caldwell for the timber in the school lotts 

22'' I set out for Hollis a very cold windy day and I got no money for 
myself but I got 3-17-0 L: M: for Martin from the Comtee yesterday and I 
came home my Expences was 1-11-6 Bay old tenor 

24th I gave a new warrant to Mrs Hepper against Phillip Felix and a 
Coppy of the examination of her Daughter unpaid and I ■writ a Deed from 
Capt John Moor to Joshua Blodget of the 3d of Seuters place at Amoskeig 
for which Capt Moor paid me 1/ and Blodget paid me 1 / for the acknowl- 
edgement and }g toward the ■writing and takeing the acknowledgement of 
a mortgage from him to Capt Moor for security 

On the 21st Mr Hepper finished tayloring at our house for this time he 
has been here 16 days at this time and on the 22d james McChire went 
home from makeing shoes he has made 6 pair this time 

95th J ^vent to Eusu Kellys and swore Samuell Richards and George 
Hadley to a Deposition to Timothy Faren in his case with David Abbot of 
Andover unpaid and I swore Stephen Tuttle concerning some Sheep he bot 
off Michael Faren for which he paid me 1/ L: M: and Kelly gave me my 
Supper and I paid him for half a bole of Tody I had there some time in 
the latter part of summer or the fauU and I left there near two o clock in 
the morning and came home 

26*'^ I sleded home two load of wood and the boys brot one And I drawed 
a Complaint and Wart for Josiah Wood against Enoch Eaton with 7 Sub- 
paenes come to 3/ 10)^ unpaid 

27"^ a very high ■wind and the snow drifted much and I went to Richard 
McAllesters and agreed with his son John and Richard for a thousand of 
Hoops for five Dollars if I please they to Deliver them at Goffes ferry when 
I call for them 

28"> & 29"^ got two load of Wood each day 



]MATTHEW PATTEX'S DIARY. 317 

81^* I went to Joseph Boices to a Seen meeting and lodged at William 
Morrows my expences was /8 La: Mo: 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I came home in the forenoon and I drawed off an acet from the proprs 
book and a plan of this town for Es(_juire Henshaw of Boston of his 3d 
Division and Meadow at Samuell Moors desire on 2 papers I charged 1/ 
shilling each 

2'' I drawed home wood 

S*^ it was a snow two or three inches deep and in the Evening it Rained 

4th I -worked at new Shoes for the Sled 

5"^ I finished shoeing my sled and Thomas Newman fitted 8 ox shoes 
and made 47 nails of my iron and come and Shod my oxen he charged a 
Quarter of a Dollar and my wife and John came home from Derry and 
Chester 

7th I gQ^, 1040 hoggshead hoops from John & Richard MacAllester junr 
att lo a dollar pr thousand and I set out for Newbury Port with 540 of 
them and lodged at William Morrows 

8"^ I got to Mr Blyes in Plastow and lodged there 

9'!^ I got into Newbury Port and lodged at Mr Prices 

10^'' I sold my hoops to Mr John Little a cooper for 50 / Bay old tenor pr 
hundred 

11"' I Delivered them and I took two hoggshead of salt at 5 £ pr hoggshead 
I had it out of a Sloop and had 8 bushell to the hoggshead and a hoggshead 
to put it in at a Dollar and /20 in money and set out at two o Clock and 
came to Blyes and lodged there 

12"' I came to Rob' McMurphys and stayed over the Sabath there 

14"' Rob' MclNIiu-phy and his son Bob helped me with their Oxen to the 
toop of the hill on this side of Joseph Bells and I came to William Morrows 
and lodged there 

15"' William Morrow came with me and his Oxen to this side of the 
River and I came about the middle of the afternoon my Expences was on 
this journey 6-12-6 Bay old Tenor and I bot }4 a pint of Spirits of Wine 
and a pair of Mittens for which I pd 21 ' and I Reed a guinne from Capt 
Moses Little in part for the plan of Piermont and Going to Exeter to the 
Superiour Court 

16"! I went to james Pipers and I got a bushell of Rie and a bushell of 
Barly from him toward the fish he had from me last summer and I got the 
Rie Ground at Capt Moors and I had the Toal 

17"' I went to Rob' Alexanders and got 4 bushell of Rie part of it is to- 
ward what sui-veying I did for him and I got it ground at Capt Moors and 
I had the Toal and I paid y<u-oh McGaw two Dollars toward what I owe 
him 

18"' I w€mt to William Morrows and I got 5 bushell of Lidian corn by 
his half bushell and I took it to Alexander McMurphys and he Ground 
half of it and took no Toal and the other I left there the Mill was out of 
order and it gave me as much Meal as filled the bag full 

19"' was a considerable Rain and Snowed in the night before 



318 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

21^' I went to Esquire Raiids aud left 14-10-0 Bay old Tenor for Moses 
Watts to buy the twine and Rope for the scene 5 £- was for Jas Caldwell 
and 5 £- for my own right and two Dollars for William Nntt and I went 
in the afternoon to Hollis to try to get my pay for surveying in Cocker- 
nioiith hut got none and I came home in the Night my Expences was 10/8 
Bay old Tenor 

22<^ I set off for Newbury Port tlie sun about an hour high at night with 
500 hoopes and I got Samuell Moors oxen and he helped me up the bank 
and I Set of from the River about dark and Drove all night and got down 
to Mr Blys before noon and I put iip and stayed there till Thursday morn- 
ing. 

24th J gQ^ ii^^Q Newburyport about daylight dawn 

35"^ I sold my hoops to Capt Nicholas Tracey for 12-10-0 Bay old Tenor 
in cash and I got two hoggsheads of salt from Capt Tappeu for which I pd 
10 £ and I set off homeward about Dark and came to Mr Blys about Break 
of Day where I stayed untill Monday morning 

28"^ I set off and liu-ed a pair of steers from Mr Bly to help me as far as 
Capt Wears and then he sent his son John aud his oxen as far as Robert 
Wallaces and then he came with his oxen to Runnells Capt Wears sou nor 
Wallace would take no pay aud I went and staid at Rob' McMurphys all 
night 

MARCH FIRST 

Robert McMiu-phy and his son Will"" came with a paii- of his Oxen to 
the toop of the hill on ihis side of Joseph Bells pasture with me and he 
gave me barrel full of Yinigar from thence I di'ove to Rob' McClures and 
he came with a pair of his oxen to the River and helped me up the bank 
and Sam'^ Moor and two pair of his oxen helped me up the bank my 
Expences was 4-18-2 Bay old Tenor I got home about an hour after Dark 

2'! I Avrit 3 Quitclaims for John and me for 4 Rights in Dartmouth to 
be signed afterwards one of them was from Matthew Little and another 
from Jonathan Martain to me and one from Tho^ Boies to John of two 
Rights 

3'i I went to Samuell Turrills aud took his Daughter Rachels examina- 
tion of her being with child slie swore it on one Enoch Emery of Dun- 
barton the charge unpaid 

4'h I run lines the forenoon for John McLaughlin and Thomas Lancey 
in the eleventh Rang and the afternoon I went to McGaws and I got a 
jiound of snuff and a pound of Coffie on credit and I got 4 bushell of Rie 
from Rob' Alexander on credit and I came to Capt Moors Mill aud got it 
Ground and I had the toal 

7"' we had a meeting at Esquire Rands of a parcel of the old proprietors 
of Dartmouth and my brors Samuel lent me two D(^llars and Capt John 
Moor found me two dollars and Abraham Moor one Dollar for to bear my 
Expences to Portsmouth to gain what knowledge I could concerning the 
old Grantees of Dartmouths title 

8"' I set out for Portsmouth and went to Major Tolfords aud lodged 
there 



MATTHE^Y PATTP:n's DIARY. 319 

gth I gQ(: as far as Strathaiu and lodg-ed at Mr Chases 
10"' I got into Portsmouth in the foreuoou and lodged at Moses Nobles 
11th J gQj; |;iie weights and Measures from Noah Parker for the town of 
Bedford which I paid him for three years ago and I came as far as Green- 
land and I lodged there at Mr FoLsums 

12"' I came to Major Tolfords and lodged there untill nionday 
14"' I came home in the Evening my Expence was 15/10 Lawful money 
15"' I went to Hugh Campbells and Vendued a hundred acres of land 
(the estate of Alexander Orr for Solomon Hutchinson Administrator) and 
took the acknowledgement of the Deed and I got Mr Sauce to write it for 
which lie paid me a Dollar and he paid me half a Dollar for appi'izing said 
100 acres 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MARCH 15 1774 

16"' I went to McGaws and I got 7 £ of shugar and half a Gallon of 
Rum and two Horn combs and 4 yards of Tamey and 5 coppers worth of 
tody for which I paid him 5-2-1 Bay old Tenor 

1 7"' I paid my brors Sam" the two Dollars I borrowed from him the 7th 
instant 

IS"' we had a meeting of the River district to appoint a man to get an 
Order from the selectmen to draw our part of the School money and they 
appointed me 

19"' I went to Hugh Campbells^ and delivered the weights and measures 
to the selectmen for which I took their Rect 

21^t I went John Bells and settled the order I had on him the year he 
was Collector my Minister Rates being 14 /3 and a Dollar I owed himself 
made 20/3 and I Reed the ballance being 17-1-3 and I went to Capt Moors 
and I got 22 quarts of the wheat Rob^ Forsith sent us last fauU and I had 
Toal 

22'i I paid for my brors Johns half of the Rakoons skin that he and cmr 
John got 12/1 Bay old Tenor and William Morrow brot me a bushell and 
12 quarts of corn toward the barrel of shad he had from me last faul 
which with what I got there myself makes six bushell and six quarts in 
all toward the fish and I went to McGaws and got a Gallon of Molasses 
and j4 a gallon of Rum and a pound of Coffie and 8^ £ of Cod fish for 
which I paid 46/10 Bay old Tenor 

2'M I went to Widow Barnetts and Drove the hoops on the Barrels that 
Zecdiariah and I bot there last Septr and I cut a small Wallnut and got 
4 goad sticks out of it and I cut some hoop poles to hoop the barrels 

24"' I -s\Tit 2 advertisments for the sale of William Morrows place 

25"' janies Martin shut the link of my old Draft Chain and made 17 
horse nails of my iron on credit 

26"' I went to Capt Moors Mill and took the corn I had from W'" 
Morrow the 22d Instant with as much of my own as made 2 bushell and 
4 ([uarts and got it ground and I had the Toal and I paid james Caldwell 
12/6 Bay old tenor being what he paid me more than his part of the 
money toward Equiping inir Sene 



320 MATTHEW patten's DIAUY. 

28"^ I Reed from Major Goflfe 55/ Bay old tenor toward liis part to 
fitting the Scene Avith a Dollar for the use of the Boat makes his five 
pounds Bay old tenor and I got 5 £ from W" Newman being his part to 
the Scene and I sent the money to Moses Watts by james McClure who 
came over for it and I paid jas McOlure a Dollar toward what shoes he 
made for me this Winter and I WTit a Deed for Richard McAllster to his 
son james and a lease from james to him and two notes and I took the 
acknowledgement of the Deed unpaid and I writ a lease from Major Goffe 
to Stephen French of half an acre the back side of the school house 
unpaid 

29"^ I went to Col GoflFes at his desire to settle the acet between him 
and Capt Karr Capt John Stark was the other to help to settle their accts 
and we adjourned till Monday the • 2d day of May next to meet at Rob' 
McGregores at ten of the Clock forenoon for more light than the could 
give us now and John got a bushell of Rie from james Piper toward the 
fish he got last summer and he got it gi'ound at Capt Moors 

30th "Was our March Meeting at which I attended and swore the toAvn 
officers being 19 in Number 

The constable and one Surveyor one hog reaff" and collector unqualified 

31**' I went to Londonderry & Vendued William Morrows place and 
Divers other articles and Tarried over night I lodged at Matthew Dickeys 

APRIL FIRST 

I tarried and Writ a deed of his place to one George Corning of Salem 
for 800 Dollars notes and other writings and he gave me a peck of Beans 
and I got % a bushell more and two bushell and quarts of corn toward the 
fish he had from me last faul 

4th I -went to Amherst to the choosing a representative for Amherst and 
Bedford we met with a great misput by Reason that John Bell our Clerk 
left our Warrant at home and had to send to his house for it it was looked 
on as a design We chose Col Goffe our Representative and I tarryed for 
the court 

5 & 6*'^ I attended the Inferiom- Com-t on acct of Capt Moors case agt 
Richard McAllester I gave Mr Lowell a Dollar on the acct of the case 

7 8 & 9*'^ I attended the Sessions and I came home my Expences was 
;5-13-0 Bay old Tenor I bot a snuff: Box and Snuff came to 5/4 Bay old 
Tenor 

11th William Barnett gelded 5 Lambs and 2 pigs for me and I went to 
Capt Moors Mill and got 2^^ bushell of corn Ground and I had the Toal 

12''^ I went to McGaws and four Bushell of corn from him for which 
I paid him two Dollars and I had as much Liquor as came to 10 Coppers 
and I paid it and I got the corn ground at Capt Moors & I had the toal 

13*'' I got 4 bushell of corn from McGaw on Trust and I got it ground 
at Capt Moors Mill and I had the Toal and I had half a bowle of Tody 
from McGaw for which I paid him half a Crown Bay old Tenor 

14"* I signed a deed to John Moor Blacksmith of Londonderry of my 
part of a bit of meadow on Beaver Brook which was left me by my father 
MacMurphy for a Dollar 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIAEY. 321 

IT WAS THE GENERAL FAST THROUGH THE PROVINCE 
15"* I went to Alexanders and I got 4 busliell of Rie and got it Ground 
at Capt Moors and I had the Toal and I had j^ a bowle of tody at McGaws 
for which I paid half a Crown Bay old Tenor 

16"* I finished the leases from Major Goffe and Martain to Stephen 
French I charged foiir shillings Lawful Money unpaid and I went to 
Alexanders and got 4 bushell of Rie and had it Ground at Capt Moors and 
I had the Toal and I got 7 £ of shugar at McGaws for which I paid 1-5-0 
Bay old Tenor and I took a bushell of Salt to Ensn Vickere to be settled 
afterward which will more than pay him what I owed him 

18"' John went to Rob' Alexanders and got 4 bushell of Rie on Credit 
and got it Ground at Capt Moors mill and I had the Toal And I went to 
Widow Barnetts and Vendued her place Capt John Moor got it at 916 
Dollars and we broke up about midnight 

19"' I went to james Gilhuors in Merrymac and he gave me a peck of 
peas for my being his friend at Amherst about the presentment of the 
Roads and I went to McGaws and bot half a bushell of peas from him for 
which I paid him half a Dollar 

20*^ I sowed the haK Bushell of peas that I got from McGaw yesterday 
and I went and cutt an ash stick on the Road West from the meeting 
house and my brors John brot it home and I attended the adjournment of 
the March meeting and another meeting held by a new meeting they 
Voted not to allow my acct for geting the weights and measures as being 
extravagant 

21 & 22<i I made a pair of padles and almost finished a pair of Cannoe 
oarrs and I spent half of the afternoon waiting about ■svriting the deed to 
Francis Barnetts Estate but did not Write them 

23'^ I went to Capt Karrs and Swore 7 men to 7 Depositions concerning 
Mr Curriers conduct I went at Mr Benj" Stevens desire unpaid 

25"' I pd Richard McAUester my minister Rates for the year 1763 I had 
an order for 19 £ Hamp'' old Tenor and the Rest I paid in money and 8/6 
hamp"^ old Tenor over my Rates was 24-2-6 hanip*^ old Tenor and I paid 
24-11-0 Hamp'' old Tenor and I writ two deeds of Francis Barnetts place to 
Sam^^ Moor notes & took the acknowledgement of Both deeds Hannah 
Barnctt and my bror gave a Deed of 2/3 & she gave a deed of the other 
thii-d I charged them 2/6 and Sam^^ Moor as much Both unpaid 

2(i"' I burned the logs and stuff that the boys had heaped up on the new 
cleared ground and I went to Hugh Campbells to meet the Selectmen to 
help to settle for Richard MacAllester on the extant but none of them 
come but james Aiken and could do nothing and Hugh Campbell paid me 
half a Dollar for my paying the license for him at Aprill Court I jmid for a 
mug and a half of tody 

27"' I sowed the flaxseed above the Barn and I went to W"' Wallaces to 
see Adam Dickey to know if he would send a line to the Goal keeper to 
take a note for the contents of the demand of the extant agt Ricrhard Mac- 
Allester or take a note with the other Selectmen but he would not consent 
to do Either but the money or Richard into Goal I laboured the point a 
great deal bu.t could not prevail 
21 



322 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

28"^ I went to Amlierst on Richard MacAllesters acct of the Extant and 
Richard paid 4-12-10 L: M: to Lieut Fisk on the Extant and Richard 
Thomas Boies my bror Sam^^ and I gave Fisk from under our hands to 
Indemnifie him in case the Selectmen Sues him before the Remainder of 
the money for the Extant is left in his hands and I tarried at Hildreths 
over night and I pd a Dollar for Richard to Mr Atherton 

29"' was a Raiiiey day and I tarried and heard one Daniell Willson tryed 
for stealing a mare from Hopkinton in the Bay Pi-ovince from one John 
Chamberlin he was whiped 15 lashes and I came home my Expeuces was 
1-9-3 Bay Old Tenor 

30'^ I went to McGaws and I got a Quarter of Tea for Mr Hepper and 
33^ £ of shiigar which I paid 29 shillings Bay old Tenor and I got a quar- 
ter of Tea and a pound of Coffie and a pound and one half of sheeps Wool 
for ourselves the Tea I paid the wool and Coffie on trust Mr Hepper sent a 
Dollar which paid his tea and shugar and our tea and I owe him (viz) Mr 
Hepper the price of the one foui-th of Tea for oiu- selves being 16/ Bay old 
tenor 

MAY 2d 

John went to McGaws and got 4 bushell of Indian corn from him on 
credit for me and got it ground at Capt Moors mill and I had the toal and 
I went to McGregores to help to settle accts with Capt Starke between Col 
Goffe and Capt Karr but could not agree Capt Karr to our judgment I 
charged nothing unless they make a charge for such Services agt me and I 
got an ounce of snuff from McGregore for which I paid 6/ Hamp"^ old 
tenor 

3'^ I had my brors Six oxen and we cross plowed in the new field about 
two thirds of the day and it came on Rain the sun 2^ 2 hours high and 
we left off 

4th ^ verry cold rain and Sleet the wind at North or Northeasterly 

5tii y^Q -were to hang our Scene and we went and Waited at the River 
untill eleven of the clock and no person came from Londonderry And then 
I went to the Cedar Swamp and got 4 new Poles to Pope Tho» Karrs and he 
is to bring them to Robert Richardsons tomorrow morning 

6^'^ I left Matthew Little have 2 Bushells of salt by his new slave Karrow 
toward my note that I gave him for his Right in Dartmouth and the Scene 
men come from Derry and I went and we hung the Scene and made a hall 
to try the Bottom and we agreed to meet next Monday to finish a Camp 

7th I went to McGaws and I got a bottle of snuff & and a gimblett and 
a dozen of fish hooks and a coppers worth of Snuff for which I paid him 
19/3 Bay old Tenor and I got >^ £ of Tea at 16/ Bay old Tenor on credit 
and I got allmost a bushell of barley from my brors Sani^'" wife to sow 

9"' I sowed some flaxseed below the Well and the barley I got on the 7th 
from my sister in law and I then went to the Scene and Tarryed untill 
Evening and we hauled Divers times but got only a Succar and we made 
our Camp 

IQth I writ a Deed from Tho" McLaughlin to Jacob Hepper to the north 
half of the lott No 19 in the 11th Rang and two notes for the pay 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 323 

13"' I made part of a pail and I writ a Deed from Widow Mclno.slis cliil- 
der to Sam'i Farley of their place in Merryinac unpd 

14"! I went to the Scene and John, came after breakfast and we got 67 
shad two of which the boys gave jonas Cutting we salted down about 64 

16"^ John and I went to the Scene and I fished all day John got 3 shad 
and I fished W" Caldwells right awhile and I got 3 on that and two after- 
wards on my own we Got 8 in all today 

17"' I made a pail and the boys planted corn 

IS"' I fished in the Daylight and a little in the Evening and I got 9 shad 
and Bob staid all night and ho got 3 

19"' I fited soles on two poles for fishing and Bob and David helped John 
with the oxen to plow for Shade and jamey mended at the little meadow 

20"' I fished at the Scene the Daylight and I got 21 shad and John fished 
the night and got two 

21'*' I went to the falls and I got six shad and I got a quarter of a hun- 
dred of Clapboard nails and a glass of Rum made into tody att MacGreg- 
ores the tody I paid for the Nails I did not 

23'^ we got 8 shad at the Scene and I wTit a Deed from W'" Barron to 
W" Diinlap of No 18 in the 6th Rang in Bedford and I took the acknowl- 
edgement for Dunlap and three notes for the pay I charged each of them 
a shilling L: M: both unpd and Alexander MacMurphy sent his daughter 
to tlie seen with about 1,^^ bushell of Rie and jamey gave her 5 shad being 
all he had att the time 

24"' John and I went to the fauUs and I got 2 shad and we came home in 
the evening and I changed a new Nett for scooping with jamey Patterson 
for Twine to make a nett for our setting place 

25"' I knit a nett of the Twine I got off Patterson yesterday and Bob 
fished at the Scene and got 15 shad five of which we gave Mr Moor of New 
boston and two Bob sent to W'" Moitows wife by Adam Dickey 

26"' I w^ent to McGaws and got 7 £ of Shugar for which I paid 28/ Bay 
old Tenor 27/ Bay old Tenor I borrowed yesterday from my jamey and I 
went to Amoskeig to fish and I followed fishing there uutill the 17th of 
June I got 148 Shad I borrowed 10 of Col Starks son W" and 3 of 
my own I gave Alex'' Macmurphy toward what John got on his Right 
and I paid 5 of the 10 I borrowed of William Starke jiinr and the other 5 I 
owe him artd ten I gave John Arrow^n for snuflf of the 148 that I got I got 
18 out of the pot at the setting place I got 2% Salmon out of the pot and 3 
by scooping John sold 3 to Mollie McGregore that weighed 53 £ he took 
the money he gave me a Dollar and a pistereen and a pine tree peice And 
I and John and the boys got 708 Ells and 71 to Alex' MacMurpliy on his 
half Right and I took a Deposition for Timothy Fuller of Middletown for 
which he paid me 20/ Bay old Tenor and I paid % a bowle of tody out of 
it and 29 Ells I gave Obidiah Hawcs for makeing a horse Collar 

18"' I drawed a Wart for John Hogg on Rachel Turrills oath agt Enoch 
Emery for geting her with (^hild uujjaid 

20"' I went to Amoskieg toward night and I staid and fished Ells I got 
23 and I let Rob' MacGregore liave them I got a pound of Coffie at 26 
hampshire old Tenor and he is to give me credit for 20/ more for them 



324 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

21^' Matthew McDiiflfie came and luforiued uie that the town had Sued 
him for the timber he ciitt on the school lotts and Drawed a power of 
Attorney from him to the Comniitee that sold the timber to carrie on the 
case according to the articles of sale 

22f' I went to Col Goffes to see him about McDnflfies being Sued but he 
was gon to Hampstead and afterward I went and See james Vose on the 
same aect and we concluded to meet at Col Goffes next Saterday Evening 

23 & 24"^ I helped the boys to weed corn 

25*'* I helped the Boys the forenoon and Enoch Emery and brot me 
a Certificate of his Marriage from Mr Currier and paid me a Dollar for all 
the trouble I had about the affair and I gave him a line to the Constable to 
Dismiss him and Tho» McLaughlin sent me a Bottle of snuff I sent 15/ Bay 
old tenor with him the 22d and I went to Col Goffes with james Vose to 
consult on y^ proprs being sued 

27"* I went to Esqr Underwoods desire to Abrham Moors and took in 
several Depositions for July Court and two in perpetuam with Col Goffe 
and the afternoon james Vose and I went to consult Mr Claget about the 
towns sueing McDuffie and we had to stay over night at Mr Whitemores 

28*^* we waited on Mr Ctaget in the morning and I came to Esqr Under- 
woods and I brot the Captions on the Depositions I took yesterday and 
Esqr Underwood crosed me out of his book of what I owed him being 1 1 
£ old Tenor for this and other services I had done him 

29"* I went and Run lines for W™ Barron unpaid and I went and lodged 
at Capt Allds over night 

30"* I went and Divided the 3d Division no 94 for W** Ai-buckle and Rob' 
McCormisk and I run the line between Ensn Jonathan Cumings and Mrs 
Mclnosh I charged them a Dollar Arbuckle paid me the half of it 

JULY FIRST 

I writ the Deed from Arbuckle to Rob' McCormick and one from Mc- 
Cormick to John Jacobs and took the acknowledgement I charged 4/s 
Lawful Jacobs offset 3 / that I owed him of it and the other shilling of it 
McCormick is to pay me and I went and Run the Rang line from Ar- 
buckles land to Lieut Taylors N: W: Corner I charged 2/ and McCormick 
is to pay it the wholl that McCormick is to pay me is a dollar and I came 
in the afternoon and run lines for Sam" Gibbson junr I charged 3/ Lawful 
unpaid Mr Gage joined part of what I did for Gibbson 

2^ I went to Amoskieg and took care of my net poles I put two poles 
with bows one of them has an Ell net on it and a new pole only Rough 
Shaved into W'** Karrs Chamber and I got a Salmon of 14 £ weight from 
Thoniy Karr and he is to get his pay out of my Salmon pot if they catch 
and he and I set one on the iipper place and he and his father is to set the 
other as soon as the water gets suitable for height 

4th I went to Amherst to defend the suit that the town brot against 
Matthew McDuffie and did not get home until Saterday night being the 
9th I Reed from McDuffie 3-2-6 Lawful on acct of his note to the proprs 
out of which I gave james Vose 2-5-7 Bay old Tenor and I gave Mr Claget 
and Mr Sargent 3 Dollars each and james Vose and my expences while 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 325 

attending Com-t was 9-10-4 Bay old teuor which I paid and took Mr 
Hildi-eths Rects for it I attended the sessions 3 days and I Reed 5 Deeds 
from the Register that I gave him to Record and I paid me 9/6 Lawfiill 
and he paid me 6 Dollars and two pistereens in cash more made 8 
Dollars in all for 12 days attending the Sessions from the 1st of janiiary 
1772 to the 1st of January 1774 being one day less than I had attended and 
I did writing between Ool Nichols and Lieut Caldwell that came to i.j a 
Dollar and Nichols paid me it exceept /8 Bay old Tenor and I adminis- 
tered an oath to Deacon Smith for Rob' McCormicks wife which she paid 
me 1 shilling for and I bot a stamped handkerchief and an ounce of snuff, 
and a quire of paper from Means for which I paid him 19/2 Bay old Tenor 
and I got a pound of snuff from Alex"' Brown for whicli I pd him 20/3 bay 
old Tenor and 6/3 bay old tenor more for expences after oiu- case was over 
on my own acct and I paid at Lovejoys on acct of the lawsuit of Expences 
5/3 bay old Tenor & I pd Lieut Fisk on the Extant against Richard Mc- 
Alester 

11*'* I went to John Thomas to Run the line between Joseph and Neas- 
mith but Neasmith would not join and I ran near the length of the lott 
and I went to McGaws and I got a pound and an ounce of loaf shugar 
from his Wife for which I paid her 8/ bay old Tenor 

12''^ I WT-it three letters for Mr Worster one to Mr Livermore as attor- 
ney & one to Mr Tho^ Crawford and one to joshua Tolford to attend next 
monday as chaiumen on a survey between the proprietors of Plymouth 
and Cockermouth I charged 2/ unpd 

13"^ I ■svrit two deeds the one from my bror Sani^' to Zechariah Chand- 
ler and the other from Zech to my bror Sam'^ and shod steel 2 shoes at the 
toes and set them on my horses fore feet 

14th Was Generally observed as a fast through this and the Bay prov- 
ince att the desii'e of the Committees of correspoudance altho Mr Houston 
would not observe it in Bedford I and my famely keept and I went to 
Meeting in Derryfield and heard Mr Strickland preach from the 5th Verse 
of the 2d of Revelations 

15*'^ John mended up the seed plow and Sheds Man Sharpened the plow 
irons and I sheled about 3)^ bushell of corn and the boys mowed the brush 
in the Calf pasture and Hepper made John a jacket he got the cloath at 
Kelleys and he paid him hepper for makeing it in money 

Kjth J went to Es^ir Blodgets mill with four bushell of Indian corn and 
got it ground and W" Karr and I sett my Salmon pots at the foot of the 
falls and I had a glass of rum made in tody at McGregores for which I 
paid three coppers and I got a pound of Coffie at Esqr Blodgets for which 
I paid 8/ Bay old Tenor and Shed made two plates for my seed plow of my 
iron and We began to fallow the old field before the house 

IS^^ it Rained the fore part of the day and I went and got Sam" McKil- 
lop to sew on a pair of heel taps on a pair of shoes of Suseys and close a 
httle at mine that was Riped and I plowed the afternoon 

19"^ I plowed to about the middle of the afternoon when W" Caldwell 
came along and informed me that james Smith had mowed a peice of the 
Governor lott and jamey and Bob and I went up to the meadow and I 



326 MATTHEW patten's DIAItA'. 

took Hug^h Mathies mth me from Caldwells and we went and found 
Smith at Work and we stayd till after night and we pold the hay off and 
came home there was 7 cock as Smith cocked it 

20"* jamey and Bob "went to the meadow and them and W" Caldwell 
mended the meadow fence and then the boys fell a Red oak and cut a 
cut off for posts and David and I went up with the team and brot the hay 
away and we spread it at home in the field and hayd it there was six cocks 
of it when hayed and I plowed some in the old field before the house 

31*' in the afternoon I Run the north line by the highway in the 2d 
Rang of home lotts for Zechariah Chandler and measured off 25 acres off 
" on that side for Ensn Maclaughlin and am to ■\^Tite a Deed tomorrow 

22'^ I writ a deed from Zechariah Chandler to Tho* McLaughlin of the 
25 acres I measured yesterday and my plow shear broke oft* on the steel- 
ing on the wing and I took it to Shads and his man Orr mended it 

23*1 I sowed the Cow yard with Turnip seed there was a smart shower 
in the fore part of the day but lasted but a short space it was a considera- 
ble of Rain like clouds which came out of the southerly Quarter and 
thundered some a little before night and very Mugey warm 

25t'> & 26"^ I fited at Rake heads teeth and l)ows and the Boys hilled at 
the corn 

27"^ I went to Eusn Benj" Noyes in Bow to arbitrate between him and 
Francis Knight with Col Stickney and Capt Chandler of Concord 

28"' On the business and drawed our award and the parties abid the 
award and Knight paid each of us the arbitrators a Dollar and Noyes gave 
me a note for thirteen shillings which made my pay which made 19/ in all 
for time and swearing evidences &c and last night I lodged at Noyes 

29"* I came home last night I lodged at Knights 

30"* I held the i^low a plowing among the new land corn 

31*' I heard Mr Cook preach in Derryfield 

AUGUST FIRST 

I had a pair of Oxen from james Martain and I finished fellowing the 
old field before the house and the boys finished hilling the corn 

2'i we began to Reap in the field by my lirors and we reapt 10 stooks and 
11 sheaves and I borrowed a glass bottle full of Rum from my bror 

3*1 we Reapt in sd field & carted in 20 stooks 

4"' we finished about the middle of the afternoon and we had 25 stooks 
in that field and my brors Sam^' and Joseph brot the 5 stooks over and we 
began to Reap in the field above the Barn and I got some rum from james 
Martain but does not know exactly how much but I suppose about 3 pints 
and I spent the fore part of the night with Morrial and his man John Dob- 
bin and agreed them 

5"* the boys and I Reaped in the field above the Barn and I drawed an 
order to our School Master for four Dollars on Mr jas Caldwell as Collector 

6"* we Reapt in the Field above the Barn and about nine or ten o Clock 
Stephen French and W™ Abbott came and Reapt untill night for my John 
helping him reap at Whitefield Gillmors we carted in 27 stooks and 8 
sheaves that we Reapt in this field and in the afternoon I went to james 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 327 

Moors in Goffes town and I got 3)^ Gallon of Rum from him and I gave 
him a Dollar toward it which paid 3 gallon of it I am to have it at 15/ 
shillings Bay old tenor pr Gallon and I owe him for j^ a Gallon 

8"^ we finished Reaping before dinner we have 58 Stocks of Rie in all this 
year we Reaped our Wheat but wt; had very little of it there was some 
Rie among the wheat & I gave Mr Cm-rier a Summons and a Coppy of 
Records for which he gave me a pistereen 

9"' The boys and I went to the little meadow and John and Stephen 
French and mowed and got up 19 cocks 

10"' my bror Sam^^^ John Mowed with lis 

11*'' jouas Cutting helped us and we got all mowed Exceept the 2 West- 
erly lotts on the Squar and all that was down cocked and in the Winrow 
together 

12*'' & 13"' we got all in the cock we have 211 cocks there this year since 
we went to work there we have brot home 4 jags 

15"' we brot home two jaggs and began to mow in the meadow at home 
and in the afternoon I went to Jacob McQuades and writ a Deed from his 
sisters to him of the place and other "writings I charged 4/ for all my ser 
vice and his bror in law George Burns paid me 2/ of it and the other two 
Jacob owes me and the Boys broke all the Slates in the bottom of the Cart 
body in bringing home the last load today 

16"' I went and hewed new Slats and mended the Cart and I paid 
Abraham Moor a Dollar for the one he let me have the beginning of last 
March before I went to Portsmouth for the weights and measures for Bed- 
ford & John got lU Gall(iu of Rum from james Moor of Goffestown 

17th my brors John went with his fathers Team and brot a load of hay 
for me from the little meadow and I brot one myself Extream mugey hot 
and it came up a thunder shower in the afternoon and Rained a good deal 
and wet the ground considerable it Rained moderately all night it is the 
first Rain we have had for about a mouth the Drought has been a Consid- 
erable severe 

19*'' David and I went to the meadow and Dryed some of the hay and 
brot home a load 

20th yyfQ i^j-Qj^ home two load and turned all the cocks upside down and 
Dryed the bottoms and topped them up again the last load as I was come- 
ing home at Mr Caldwells I stopped by Reason of Zechariah Chandlers 
team being before me that I could not get by and when I went to drive 
away the Hogs was at the tail of the Cart and I looked to see that they 
were not about the wheels and I turned and Drove forward and the pig of 
Considerable bigness Run in before the near wheell and it went over the 
middle of the body and Killed it imeadeately it was worth two Dollars I 
suppos 

22'' Bob and David went to the meadow and brot a load of hay and I 
spent the forenoon on Rob* Morrials and John Dobbins att'air and Col 
Goffe came to my house and spent the forenoon likewise Morrial is to pay 
Col Goffe 2/s and Dobbin is to pay me two shillings for our trouble and it 
Rained 2 Showers as they were coming home and I sold our 3 Calves to 
Phillip Ferrin I am to have six bushell of Rie only if the youngest dies 



328 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

but if it lives I am to have 8 and John Drove them up for him and I went 
and put in new Rungs in the body of Caldwells Cart that David Briant 
may Cart for me with their team tomorrow and I stayed at Cadwells over 
night it Rained a smart shower in the Night 

23'^ Cloudj^ and Rained some the hay was so wet that we could not Cart 
about the middle of the day I took off the wet hay as well as I could of 10 
cocks and brot the dry of them home it Rained a Smart shower on us as 
we came home and jamey worked all day and Bob about Yi of the day at 
the Graveyard 

24"! jamey and Bob and I went and cut 4 Rail ciits on Matthew Littles 
lott between and the little meadow and split 2 of them allmost they made 
35 Rails 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 24 1774 

25"^ it continued Dull weather untill near Evening and then it cleared 
off very pleasant and I got leave of Matthew Little to cut Rail stuff on 
his land that we began to cut on and the boys cutt one or 2 cuts more 

26'^^ David and I went to the little meadow and carried 24 Rails with iis 
to the meadow and we dryed the wet hay that was on the Cocks and brot 
home a load & the boys dried at the hay at home in our own Meadow 

27th -^m Caldwell brot a load of 14 cocks for me and I brot home two 
myself which finished bringing what hay had at the little meadow 

29"^ I shelled two bushell of Indian corn and cleared up almost two 
bushell of Rie there was the scaterings on the floor in pitching this years 
Rie there was above half a bushell of it and the rest was old Rie and 
jamey and Bob brot in What hay was in cock in the meadow at home 

30"^ John and I worked at the Graveyard and I took the acknowledge- 
ment of a Deed from David McCleary to james Aiken james pays the 
acknowledgement him and I settled accts and he fell 10/ old Tenor in my 
debt of all affairs and accts by past and David went to his uncle Alex'^ 
mill with the corn and Rie I fitted yesterday 

3P' David came home in the morning mtli the meal And I Drawed a 
state of the case between the town and the propriety and sent it by my 
bror to Mr Pickering for his oppinion in the case and to engage him to 
assist at the Superiour Court and I ^vrit part of Capt Perhams Will there 
was a smart thunder shower this afternoon 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I Drawed Capt Perhams Will in the forenoon and the afternoon I went 
to Lieut Littles and Venxbied his place in Goffestown it was struck off to 
Robert McGregore for 434 Dollars and he signed tlie articles I came away 
I suppos about 1 1 o Clock 

2'^ & 3<i We worked at geting posts and Rails beyond the meeting house 

5"' I went and Run Round the peice of land for Benj" Dow on the 
Easterly side of Piscataquog River and it came on Rain and wet me very 
much and I Run more than half of the north line and I got home a little 
before night & I took the acknowledgement of the deed for Dow 

6"^ I pland the peice of land I Run Round yesterday and \Yv\t about 



MATTHE^y patten's diary. 32^ 

half the deed Dow sold it to David Abbott and the af teruoou I went to 
the boys to the post and Rails beyond the meeting house 

7"^ I finished the deed I began yesterday and I went to John Bells and 
Delivered the beam and Scales that my bro Sam" brot from Noah Parkers 
last week for the town & I took theu' rect for them and they gave me an 
order for school money being 1-17-7-1 for which they gave me an order 
last march and I lost it was the Reason of my geting this 

S"> I took the acknowledgement of the Deed that I \vrit for Benj" Dow 
to David Abbott uupd and David and I went with the Team and took 50 
Chesnut posts that we got on the ministerial land to the little meadow 

gth -yy-g -went to work at the posts and Rails above the meeting house 
and it came on Rain and the boys came home and I stayed and cut 3 Rail 
ciits and 2 post cuts I shelled about 1% bushell of corn 

10''' the wind very high at N: W: and cold we cut our Stalks a frost 
that touched the pvimkins and bean leaves and some corn leaves the night 
following I drawed a Writ for james Caldwell against David Briant 

11"' Sabathday the wind very high at N: W: and cold a little frost the 
night following 

12''' I worked at the highway and janiey and Bob top poled the fence 
up the back side and the school master keept the forenoon and the after- 
noon he went to a Clearing frolick at David Moors 

13*'' We that hired the school master mett on having Reed Word by 
Joshua Gage from Dunbarton that they would hire our Master two months 
and we agreed to have him go and then Retui-n to us and ha set of for 
Derry and Returned in the Evening and brot a bottle of snuff and gave it 
to us and got what Tobacco we had I Suppose there was a pound and 
a half of it 

14"' I worked at the highway and jamey and Bob went to their uncle 
Alex"" MacMurphys to help him to get his hay 

15"' in the morning between Day break and Sun Rise Lydia Hepper 
came and informed us that a number of persons came and Draged her 
husband away the night before and abused him and her they Broke one 
of her fore teeth out and much abused Her daughter Hannah I advised 
her to go home and be Quiet and say nothing about it and I went above 
the meeting house and I split 52 Rails and 30 posts and John Little sent 
for me to go to his house to Writ a Deed of his place and to james Eaton 
I went and did it and I charged 3* and they paid me Little paid me 
quarter of a dollar and Eaton paid me l^.i a pistereen and I had no change 
to give him 

16"' I worked at posts and Rails above the meeting house and David 
finished harrowing the old field before the house 

17"' Joseph Dow came to my house in the morning and paid me 20/ Bay 
old Tenor for his bror Benj" toward my Runing lines Writing a Deed and 
acknowledgement of the Deed and I paid it to old Mrs McLaughlin 
toward tow cloath I had from her last year I owe her 2/(5 Bay old Tenor 
yet of it and I went and sjjlit Rails above the meeting house 

19"' james Orr mended my plow Sh(^ar that was broke in the wing he 
had a good deal of pains in the doing it the charge unknown and I went 



330 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

to a, town meeting at Evening and the people intended to go to Amherst 
tomorrow to Visit Mr Athertou who Insisted on my going with them and 
they told me I must and Should go and that if I did not they woiild Viset 
me on which I said I would go 

20*1^ James Orr and Shed set the shoes on my horses fore feet and I went 
to Amherst and about 300 men assembled and chose a Commitie who went 
to Mr Atherton and he came to the people to the Court house and he 
Signed a Declaration and Read it to the people Avho accepted it he Invited 
them to go to Mr Hildreths and Drink what they pleased the people 
Dispersed about Midnight without Doing any Out Ragious act I stayd 
till morning 

31^* I came home and I coppyd a transcript of a highway in Gotfes town 
from the proprs book for Eben' Hacket 

22'^ I coppyd a considerable more for Hacket in the morning and then 
■went to Joseph Dows junr in Goffestown and Writ a bill of sale and a 
power of Attorney from him to his Brother Benj" and I took the acknowl- 
edgement of each of them I charged 4/ impaid And in the afternoon 
I went and Run lines for Abel Right of that part of the lott that Eben"" 
Johnson formerly lived on that lys over Piscataquog but did not finish 

23'^ I went to Benj" Dows and Run a part of his north line and fixt his 
northwest corner and I then went to Abel Wrights to finish the lines 
I was after yesterday but did nothing and I charged him 30/ Bay old 
Ten"^ for what I had done yesterday and today and he paid 25/ Bay old 
Tenor 

24*^ Bob and the four cattle worked for Shad about ~-^ of the day and 
jamey David holed 31 posts and I split 55 Rails and I fell 2 trees more for 
Rails and Capt Perhani paid me 2/ for Avi-iting his Will I writ it the 1st 
Instant 

20*'' I drawed one warrent for Hannah Murphy against Titus houston 
and I signed another from Mrs Hepper against Titus houston and John 
Wallace the Constable took him and Col Gofl'e and I held a Court att the 
school house on him and we adjoui'ned both cases untill Monday the 3d of 
October at nine of the clock in the forenoon 

27<'h I went to Amherst to the Superiour Court to Defend the case 
between the town and Proprietors in favour of the Proprs and I Reed four 
Dollars for the Proprs from Jacob McQuead and in the Evening I gave 
gave two of the Dollars to John Pickering Esqr in part of a fee as a la'i^vyer 

28"^ I had to come home for some papers aiid Evidences and I got back 
to Dinner I had Alex"^ Browns horse for which he would take no pay 

29"\ Our case came on in the afternoon and the jnrj got it in the 
Evening 

30''^ they gave their Verdict in faAT of the Town for 11-10-0 Lawful and 
cost the cost was taxed at 9-11-6 the cost was taxed in the afternoon and 
I paid 6/G of it and it was so near night when it was done that we could 
not come home 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 331 

OCTOBER 1st 

I came home my Expeuces au(i jamey Voses who atteucled the case with 
me at Hildreths was 6-12-6 Bay old ten'" aud I lodged one night at 
Baldwins was 7/ Bay old ten' 

3'^ Col Goffe aud I met at the School house on the case between Titus 
and Lydia Hepper and her Daughter And Mr Houston and her agreed 
and we adjourned the Court to the 18th of November next at 10 of the 
Clock in the forenoon and I went to a training to Hugh Campbells 

4^'' I went to McGaws and got 2^ £ of Wool and some other articles 
to the amount of 2-11-2 Bay O: T: and I settled all I owed him being 
19-12-3 Bay old ten"' aud gave him a Note for it on Demand with Intrest 
iintill paid 

5*^ I got a Basket from Gardner at 2/ Lawful 

6'ii I cut of 9 Rail cuts and butted 8 at the west end of W" Barnetts 
laud and I drawed a Conipt and Warrant for William Bell against Ebeu'' 
Wood there was seveu Siibpoenas came to 3/10 ^ unpaid 

7th I ^y^it a pair of Indentures of james Grear to Matthew Little for 
Little unpd and W'" Bell and Eben"" Wood and Blasdel the constable came 
and settled the affair and I taxed the cost I set a fine of 4/ my fees was 
five shillings & I took his uote on demand for my fees and the fine 

8"^ I went to the little meadow aud see what jamey Smith had been do- 
ing he made three new corners that I see as I suppose 

IQtii I went to Col Goffes to consult what to do about Raising money to 
discharge the Damage and cost iu McDuffies case and afterward to Lieut 
Little to see him on the acct of said lawsuit and had to go to McGregores 
aud I then went to the falls and took my Salmon pot u.p the bank and I 
had half a bowle of Brandy tody at McGregores in company with Little 
for which I paid 3/ Bay old Ten'' 

ll^'i I sowed allmost 8 bushell of Rie on the old field before the house 

12*'^ I went to james Voses aud he went with me to janies Aikens and to 
John Bells Jacob McQuead Matthew McDuffles and to Adam Dickeys to 
see about meeting aud Settling the judgement that the town Gained of 
the Propriety We were moved by some threatening that jamey Smith had 
made to Math McDuffle it cost us the whole day we had half a bowle of 
tody at Hugh Campbells charged to me unpaid 

13th y^Q gQ^, iu two jags of corn and all the Stalks out of the uppermost 
peice of corn Aud my wife got Mr Nelsons letter to his congregation from 
William Wallace for 20/ Bay money and she paid 19/ of it 

14tii I went to Hollis to uotifie Major Hobart according to his desire what 
time I intend to go ou the Survey iu the dispute between the proprietors 
of Plymouth and Cockermonth my Expeuces was a pistereen 

15*'^ I husked corn and the boys did several overins 

17"' we finished husking corn iu the forepart of the day and I set of 
about noou to see Adam Dickey to see to settle the judgement the town 
gained against the proprietors aud the commitee of the town and james 
Vose aud I met them at Hugh Caiupbt^lls and we woried untill near day- 
break but they would do nothing biit the cash or the Execution must take 



332 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

place I paid tlieir and our expences it was 2/8 lawful aud I paid /4 for the 
half bowle of tody james Vose and I had there the 12th lustaut when we 
were on the same business 

18"^ I went to McGregores and I got 4 £ of shugar and two mugs and a 
Quart of Brandy for which I paid 4/ 9 Lawful and I went to the falls and 
took out 3 stones out of the channel that leads to where I set my Salmon 
pot 

19"' james Vose and I went to Mr Caldwells and gave our Note to him 
for the six Dollars he lent to Adam Dickey to carrie ou the lawsuit against 
the proprs to be paid in six months from tlie last day of Septr last with 
Intrest and we Settled with W" Caldwell for timber we sold him he had 
paid us 4/ lawful of the price of it and the 4/ was put in hi.s fathers note 
and then I went to the little meadow and divided the ground to biiild the 
fence ou between Deacon Smith and his sou james as far as we agreed 
aboiit the line 

20"^ I finished sowing the Rie ou the corn land by the house and Barn 
how much seed I sowed I cant tell I suppos I sowed near or perhaps seven 
bushell 

21^' I set oxit for Plymouth to do the Survey P order of Com-t in the dis- 
pute between the Proprietors of Plymouth and Cockermouth and was on 
the Business untill the 12th of November being 20 worldng days I charged 
9/s pr day I charged Plymouth Proprietors 14 days and Cockermouth 6 
And Col Fenton paid me the whole money and I am to assist him to get 
the 6 days pay from the Proprietors of Cockermouth on the 29th of Octr I 
Reed 8/ from Esq Cumings toward my pay for Surveying in Cockermouth 
in the year 1772 & on the 12tli I pd Gage of Pennykook 18/8 and Rob* 
McGregore 36/ Lawful 

NOVEMBER 14th 

I went and Run lines for John Griffin senr and Jonathan Merril I charged 
4/ to be paid Equaly by them Merril paid me 2/ aud Griffin owes me the 
other 2/ and I went to McGregores and I spent a bowle of Brandy tody 
for which I paid 9 | and I paid him 1 / 3 | for two quarts of Rum my 
wife had from him while I was out on the above Survey 

15"^ I went to McGaws and got several Ai'ticles to the amount of 34/3 
Bay old Tenor from his Wife and pd her the money and I paid her four 
Dollars toward a note he had from me Aud I went to Robert Alexanders 
and I paid him six dollars toward the Grain I had from him last Winter 

16''' was a considerable Rain 

17*'^ I went to Robert Kennedys in Goffstown to See a Stear he has for 
Beaf 

18"' Col Goffe and I met at the School house ou Mrs Hepper and her 
Daughter Hannahs case agt Titus and both Mr Houston and them agreed 
to have the case continued and we farther adjoru'ued untill the thu-d mon- 
day of January next at ten of the clock in the forenoon to the same place 

19"* I worked at di-awing oiit my acct against the Proprietors of Narra- 
gausett Township No five but did not accomplish it Considerable windy 
cold day and jamey and Bob cleaned up 14 bushell of Rie 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 333 

2P^ Was a cold Sharp aii- anrl it began to snow about Daylight dawn 
and Snowed all night the ^^^nd high at N: E: 

22'i it snowed all the fore part of the day tho moderately it fell about 10 
inches deep a wet solid snow and I finished drawing luy acct against the 
proprietors of Narragansett township No five with what I stand bound for 
the ballanee in my favor is 13-1-6 la^vfiil money james Vose and me is 
bound by our note to james Caldwell for 40/ four of which belong to W'" 
Caldwell which 40/ is in the 13-1-6 

23'^ I took a bushell of corn and went to Griffins Mill and got it ground 
Exceept about 2 quarts and went to see a fat ox of Ezekiel Stevens but we 
coiild not agree and I had two half bowles of Tody at McGregores with 
my ferriage came to nine pence lawful which I paid and I got an earthen 
poringer that I did not pay that the could not tell me the price Rob' was 
not at home 

24tii Was the General thanksgi\dng 

25*'^ a Great Rain and we shelled out 4 bushell of corn 

26'h I went to Capt Moors mill and got ground and I had the Toal 

28*"^ I went to Capt Moors mill and I took 2 bushell of corn and 2 of Rie 
with me and Sarah Riddel ground it but I had not the toal and I Run the 
Rang line from the 2d divisions to Col Nichols by John Burns for Capt 
Moor and Burns and I lodged at Capt Moors 

29''^ I Run the lines of the 50 acre lott that Capt Moor had from his 
father at the north end of Strawburry hill John Orr joined on the South 
side and Deacon W™ Moor on the north and both attended the Runing of 
the lines 

30'i> was a Rainy day and I got james Orr to flaten the end of the touges 
to lift with 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I went to McGaws and got 7 £ of shugar a pound of Coffie an Ivory 
comb 21 sheets of paper and }-2 a bowle of Tody for which I paid 58/ Bay 
old Ten' 

2'! we butchered 2 of oui- hogs they weighed about 200 £ both and I got 
james Orr to make three new links of my Iron and put them in my old 
Draft chain and Straighted the twisted links 

3'i I went to the west end of W" Barnetts land and I split out 63 Rails 
being all the Rail cuts that I had cut there and brot home the Betle and 
wages 

5"i I fitted our looking Glass to set it up and it Rained moderately all 
day and Bob and David Went to School and began to vrrite being the first 
of their trying 

6"^ james went to School and began to Write being his first trial and 
Bob and David plowed And I let james McAllester have two Bushell of 
Salt for his Bror Richard toward his part of the Hoops I had from him and 
John last Winter 

^th I \^Tit a letter of a considerabk^ length to . Edward Tinkerman of 
Boston concerning his Fathers land in this town in answer to liis to me of 
the 2d of Novbr last And I went to McGaws and I got a Bottle of snufi" a 



334 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Quire of paper and half a bowle of tody for which I paid him 25/ Bay old 
Ten' aud I Reed a Dollar from james Piper toward the shad fish he had 
from me Summer was a twelve mouth 

8"' I pnt out a Cow to David Rowel for three years I am to have the first 
calf she has to be Delivered at three years old and if either of us sees cause 
I am to have the cow the 13th of next raay and her Milk is to be the pay 
for her keeping And I paid Nathan Shed a Dolar toward the work he has 
and will do for me and I got james Orr made a new shoe of my Iron and 
one of his iron and set them on my horses fore feet he Steeled the heels 
and Corked them aud I went and lodged at Sam^i McFarlands 

gtii I went and showed Philip and Eben'' Ferrin my lott in the 4th Rang 
they got Alex' Gillcrist to Run Round it we found all the corners 
Exceept the N: E: they are all large heaps of Stones and I went to New- 
boston and lodged at Betty INIcCollums a Stormy day of snow and hail 
and some wett amoug it 

10th J Y,'e,ut aud see Hugh Gregg aud then went with Andrew Walker to 
Esqr Clarks Aud he owed Andrews son Andrew and he owed his Father 
and his father owed me And I took and order from Esqr Clark on Esqr 
Cuttler for what Old Andrew owed me being 8-18-7 and I gave Andrew up 
his note and old Audrew gave young Anch-ew up his note and I lodged at 
Esqr Clarks 

ll"' I went to Meeting in Newboston and came home in the Evening 

12*'^ I fitted at a new spear for our Wood Sled John Hewed the spear aud 
Rowler before 

13*1^ jamey and Bob got home three loads of wood aud I cleared the sticks 
and stuff about the door 

14th I went to Oapt Moors Mill aud I took two Bushell of Rie aud a 
bushell of wheat what we had for muter wheat and got it Ground aud I had 
the toal And I went to McGaws aud I got 3 Gallon of Molasses 3 \ £ of Red 
wood and 2}( of Logwood 1 1^ of Alum 1 £ of Copperus 1 £ of Coifie >2 ^ 
bowle of tody aud 4 yards of Quality aud i^ £ of Madder for which I paid 
him 3-13-2 Bay old Ten' 

15"^ was a Rainy day and I went and got Shed to new temper one Ax 
and Shut the Eye and upset and temper another 

16*'^ We Butchered a Sow and a barrow they weighed 314 £ and I lent 
my bror Sam^i a bushell of Salt And I lent Tho' McLaughlin a peck of 
salt 

17"^ the boys aud I went with the Team and hauled 140 Rails and 11 
posts to the Road between aud the little meadow we got about 130 on 
Matthew Littles laud and the Reuiainder and the posts we got on my 
brors laud' 

] 9"i I got Shed to lay an ax for me it was a Rainy day the wind checked 
to the Northwest very quick in the evening and blowed Extremly high it 
broke an apple tree off in the Middle a little N: W: from the hoiise 

20* Was a Very cold windy day and I Rambled through the woods 
looking for shingle stuff 

31*^' I set out for Amherst and took 4 bushell of corn to Capt Moors mill 
my business to Amherst was to get the money for Esqr Cuttler on the 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIARY. 335 

aect of the order that Esqr Clark drawee! for me on him but he could not 
pay me any aud I lodged at Hildreths I tarried overnight on Esqr 
Shepards affair 

23'! I came home and brot home the meal from Capt Moors my Expences 
was with an ounce of Snuff and a pound of powder that I bot came to 
1-19-8 Bay old ten^ 

23"^ I got James Orr to make a new shoe of his iron and Steeled the toe 
aud heel and Steeled the heel of another and set them on my horses hind 
feet 

24tii I went to Lieut John Pinkcrtous and I got 20 £ of cotton aud a 
bottle of snuff aud small punch bowle the Cotton 12/ Bay old ten"^ pr 
pound the Snuff was 14/3 and the punch bowle was 8/3 all Bay old tenor 
and I paid for the snuff and the bowle and for half of the Cotton the other 
half I am to pay in a month 

26"^ It fell a snow about 3 or 4 inches deep and crusted a little and 
Rained a considerable 

27th s^Q all hands got wood we got three load & I let Nathan Shed 
have a note I have against Jonathan Currier of six shillings with Intrest 
untill paid it was dated the 13th of Janmy 1767 the Intrest came to 2/9 
aud I charged him with it on book 

28"^ We got home one load of wood and it began to snow and snowed 
very hard and fell about a foot deep it snowed all the Remainder of the 
day and considerable in the evening and spit snow all night 

29"' it continued cloudy and some piles of snow fell the wind at N: N: 
E: all this storm and was very tedious to endure and I split 194 Barrel 
Staves 

30"i We got home 3 load of w^ood 

31«' I hauled 20 baskets of Coal for Shed and we got home 2 load of 
wood 

JANUARY 1775 

2'' Bob and I w^ent and brot out 152 Rails and 62 posts to the Road from 
the west end of William Barnetts land and we brot 36 Rails home 

S*! I took 3 bushell of Rie to Capt Moors mill and got it ground and in 
the evening I drawed a Writ for John Bell against Jonathan Currier unpd 

4"! I went to McGaws and got 83^ £ of Cod fish and 2 £ of shugar on 
Credit came to 1-1-5 Bay old tenor and I had }^ a bowle of tody for which 
I paid him 2/1 Bay old tenor for 

6"' I took 4 bushell of grain two of corn and two of Rie to Capt Moors 
Mill and got it Ground and I had the Toal and I went to McGaws and 
I got 2 £ of Raisons and a quire of paper on credit and I had )o' a bowle of 
Tody for mch I paid 2/6 Bay old Ten' and came by Capt Moors Mill and 
brot home the meal and I sent the order I had from Esqr Clark on Esqr 
Cuttler by my bror Sam'* to Esqr Cuttler to get the money 

7"> we butchered our hog being the last we have to Mil this Winter he 
weighed 206 £ and my Bror Returned the order that I sent to Esqr Cuttler 
iinauswered 

9 & ] 0"' We got home 3 load of wood each day 



336 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

11th y^Q g-Qt; a load of Wood to the School aud I set off for Haverill for 
sole leather and lodged at Robert McMiirphys 

12"> James drawed about 45 or 50 bushell of Coal for shed and I went to 
Haverhill and lodged at Capt Greenleaf s 

13"^ I bot a side of Sole leather from Mr Benj" Moors of 17 £ weight at 
a pistereen a pound and I got 14 coppers worth of sniiff a fun (?) card an 
Almanack from Nathan Blodget for which I paid 11/11 Bay old tenor and 
I got }4 £ "^i peper and a pound of Coffie from another man for which I 
paid 18/9 Bay old tenor my Expences at Greeuleafs was 16/3 Bay old 
tenor and on the Road was 6/ 2 Bay old tenor and I came home before 
bed time on yesterday Esqr Dow paid me 15/ Bay old tenor being what 
Remained due on his part of the last note that him and his bror job and 
Mr Favour gave me for the land they bot of me in Goffestown and he 
gave me my Dinner 

14^^ I went to Sheds to get a shoe set on my horses fore foot but could 
not and I went and cut 11 walnut hoop poles on my brors lott by Deacon 
Littles 

16"^ Col Goffe and I Met on the affair of Mrs Hepper and her Daughter 
they settled the affair themselves and Mr Houston paid the cost 

17'^ Shed set a Shoe on my horses fore foot the shoe was mine Ready 
iitted Exceept sharping aud I cut 40 hoop poles N: W: from the meeting 
house and I went to Deacon Walkers and did as much Writings as come 
to 5/ Lawful for John aud I would not take anything for it 

Igth I went to Lieut Pinkertous to oiu* sceen meeting we voted to Rais 
a Crown Sterling on a Right And I paid Pinkerton 6 £ Bay old tenor for 
10 £ of Cotton I had from him the 34th of last Decbr and I got a Gallon of 
Molasses from him for which I paid him 2/ Lawful 

20'^ I went to Capt Moors mill and took with me 2 bushell of Indian 
corn and two of Rie and had it Ground and I went to McGaws and got 
21^ £ of pigtail tobacca came to ^^ a dollar and I paid him two pistereens 
of it and David aud Bob cut about one half a hundred of Oak hoop poles 
between and the Caiisway 

21"' I and Bob went with the Team and got the 40 poles I cut the r7th 
and about on Chandlers and the Ministerial we got so as to bring home 
a load with part of what Bob and David ciit yesterday 

24"! I sent the order I had from Esqr Clark on Esqr Cuttler by Richard 
McAllester to get the money and he paid Means a note he had of mine of 
2-10-0 and Intrest for S% months and he paid to Cutler for the Remainder 
of the Extent the town brot against him for Rates 1-8-4 Lawful and the 
Remainder he brot me in cash and Cutler sent me a months Intrest 

25'h I went and Run lines for David Moor and Tho'' MacLaughlin I 
divided Tho" 30 acres of that lott that him and David Moor bot from 
James Patterson by Lieut Voses and janiey and Bob cut a hundred hoop 
poles on Sam^i Moors land we have cut 2)0 hundred of hoop poles on his 
land in all 

26"' I went to Sam^' McFarlands and took 5 Depositions for him and 
Daniel in their case ^yith. Enoch Page and I staid at Sam" McFarlands all 
night 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 337 

27"* I got 1500 of hay from Sam" MeFarland aud he got liis bror Daniels 
oxeu with his own aud brot it home to my Barn 

38*** I got about 1000 £ of hay from William Newman 

30"» I weut to McGregores aud I got 3 £ of Shiigar a pound of Coffie 
half a Gallon of Rum aud a quart mug aud half a bowle of Tody and 
a Horu comb aud a poriuger I got there the 23d of last November for all 
which I paid him 5/6 lawful 

31^' I attended the funeral of Deacon Walkers son John who Died the 
28th aud I let our John have a dollar 

FEBRUARY 

P' I Run the lines of the home lott No 39 on Merrimack River for Capt 
John Moor and his brother Sam'' and jamey and Bob cut fence loggs for Mr 
Shed it was a frolick 

2^1 I weut to Esqr Blodgets and took a bushell of Indian corn and 
a bushell of Rie and got them ground and I got a Quire of corse paper 
there for which I paid 8 pence lawful and I had i^ a bowle of tody at 
McGregores for which I paid 4 pence lawful 

3 & 4"' Hugh Orr shaved hoops for me on acct of what he owes me aud 
a Writ he is to pay me for that I gave james Caldwell against David 
Briaut aud I worked at finishing the plan of the Survey I did this fall and 
I pd Sam" MeFarland 2 dollars toward the hay 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 4th 1775 

6"* I set off from Portsmouth with the plan of the survey I did this faul 
at the desire of the Proprietors of Cockermouth (viz) Col Hale Majr 
Hobart and Mr Ames and lodged at Robert McMurphys 

7"* I arrived at Portsiuoutli 

8 9 & 10"' the case was decided and we Settled with Mr Livermore Col 
Hale and Majr Hobart for my journey I charged 14 Dollars for my journey 
being 7 days at 2 Dollars pr day and to be paid by the plaut aud Def ts in 
Equal halves and Col Hale and Majr Hobart paid me 4 Dollars of their 
half 

11"' I set out from Portsmoutli about one of the Clock in the afternoon 
and came to Majr Tolfords aud lodged there 

12"' I came home being Sabath day and Snowed all day it fell 5 or (i 
inches deep 

13"' I lay by only Shaving 10 or 11 hoops 

14"' I shaved }o a hundred of hoops 

15"' I went to Col Lutwybhes to Settle my Note aud my averige out of 
Capt Parkers Estate but he was at Esqr Clagets and did not get it done 
and I got a Gallon of Molasses and 5 pound of Shugar from McGaw on 
Credit aud I had fo' a bowle of tody at McGaws for which I paid 2/6 Bay 
old Tenor 

16"' I weut to Capt Moors mill aud took 2 bushell of Indian and 2 of Rie 
aud got tliem ground and I had th(^ Toal and I Reed 55/ Bay old Tenor 
from Augustus Blauchard for my Service about some land in Goffestown 
22 



838 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

last year and he sent a Dollar to Col Goffe and another to Capt Walker for 
their service and Hugh Orr shaved hoops for me he shaved 240 

17"' janiey Orr made some ox shoes for me of my iron 

Igth \ye settled with our school master and my part that I owe him now 
is ii}4 Dollars and a pistereen more than he has got And I gave George 
Hogg a "writ and Summons against Adam Dickey and a Summons for three 
witnesses unpaid 

20th J went to MacGregores and I got a sken of Silk and an Eartheru 
Pitcher and mug for which I paid 18/4 Bay old Ten'' 

3P* Was a Meeting at Amherst of Amherst and Bedford to chuse a Rep- 
resentative which I attended and Was chosen Moderator and We chose 
Paul Dudley Sergant to Represent the two towns he had 74 votes and Col 
Goffe had 47 and I was chose one of the Commitee to prepare instructions 
for Mr Sergant and I lodged at Mr Hildreths 

23'^ I came home I got a Quire of paper and a pound of Coffie and 1.3 an 
ounce of Snuff from Means for which I paid 19/3 Bay old Tenor and I got 
a snuff box from Mr Keen for which I pd 5/ Bay old Tenor and I got 21-2 
£ of Chalk for which I paid \ Bay O: T: and I had a shoe set on one of 
my horses fore fe'et for which paid 2/6 bay old Ten'' my charges at Hil- 
dreths was 17/3 bay old Tenor yesterday I -wTit a Deed from W'" Low to 
Aaron Gage of lows place and I went by Lows and took the acknowledge- 
ment Gage paid me 2/ for going that way and takeing the acknowledge- 
ment and Low paid me a shilling for ■s\Titing the Deed 

23"! I got jamey Orr to almost finish a pair of Nippers of my iron a 
Stormy day from the N: E: 

24th Qj-j. finished niakeing my Nippers and mended one of the tines of 
my hay fork and Shed laid an ax for me 

25"' I went to Philip Ferrins and got 4 bushell of Rie by his lialf biishell 
but I measured two bushell of it by the standard in Bedford and it lacked 
three quarts and almost a pint so that the 4 bushell fell short almost seven 
quarts And I took it to Capt Moors mill and got it gTound and I had the 
Toal I had the Rie from Ferrin toward the 3 Calves he had from me last 
Summer 

27"' I went with the Master to Martins and there I drawed james Voses 
acct on the proprietors of this town and then I went to John Bells to the 
Selectmen and I got an order on John Bell for 0-15-7-3 and another on 
John Wallace for 0-3-4-1 in lieu of an order I had on Richard McAllester 
in the year 1763 of nineteen pounds old Tenor and I spent half a bowle of 
tody for which I paid 2/ 6 Bay old tenor 

28"' I made a new glass for my Compass and Repaired which has lyn out 
of order since it was broke when Robert McClure borrowed it the last day 
of last jan 

MARCH FIRST 

I went to job Dows in Goffestown to View and Value a lott of Col: 
Atkinson (viz) No 2 in the 5th Rang south side of Piscataquog for Mr 
Purmitt of Merrymac it was a Stormy day it fell about 2 inches of 
Snow we could not Run the lines of the lott and only went across it my 
Exp^nces was 2/ Bay old Tenor at Dows Sam" McFarland Settled his case 



MATTHEW patten's DIAF.Y. 339 

with Enoch Page and Page paid him 10/ Lawful for my going to Goffes- 
town and takeiug f onr Depositions for McFarland and I alowed McFarland 
to keep the pay as I had not paid him enough for the hay I had from him 
this Winter and I came home at 10 or 12 of the clock at Night the wind 
high & cold & Capt Melvin pd my wife 3 dollars their part for my joiu-ney 
to Portsmouth 

2^1 James Vose and I went to Esq'' Clagets and Harvils and about in 
Litchfield to try to borrow money to pay Capt John Moor and his bror 
Sam'i ^-jjg money that Vose and my bror Samuell borrowed from them to 
pay the cost of the suit that the town brot against Matthew McDuffie 
And I filled a Blank Deed from Benja" Baxter to Jacob McGaw and took 
the acknowledgement M"^. answered a shilling in the price of a pair of Cot- 
ton Cards I had from him this day the Cards was 4/ La'W'f ul and I paid 
him Yz a Dollar more for the Cards and I paid him /4 Lawful for a bowle 
of tody that Vose and I had 

?>^ I paid our School Master two Dollars and 36/ Bay old tenor which 
with 3 Dollars I paid him before made my part of his wages in which was 

10 a pistereen being my part of i"^.! a dollar that is wanting of his wages in 
Dunbarton that is comeing to us 

4"' I went to Philip Ferrius and got two bushell of Rie being the last of 
the pay for the Calves he had from me last f aul and he made me an allow- 
ance for the smallness of his half bushel of all I had from him and I took 
it to Capt Moors Mill and got it ground and I had the toal 

6"^ I sett out for Portsmouth in the Dispute between the Proprs of 
Plymouth and Cockermouth and tarried the 18th I Returned home I 
charged Eleven days at two Dollars a day Col: Fenton paid me the half 
being 1 1 Dollars and Maj Hobart paid me three Crowns toward the other 

11 Dollars and the Remainder being 7 7^ he and Col: Hale owes me yet my 
expences Avith some trifles I bot was 8 1.3 Dollars while I was in Portsmouth 
I WTit a lease for Nathaniel Sheaf Griffeth and Hugh Montgomery for 
which I charged 2/ which they paid 

20*1' I -went to Robert Alexanders and gave him Six Dollars which paid 
him for all the Rie I had from last year (with what I had paid him be- 
fore) and foui- pistereens over and I got four bushell of Rie from him this 
day and I sent it to Capt Moors mill by Capt Moors team and I got 7 £ of 
shugar and a poiind of Coffie and an ounce of Onion seed and i.< a bowle 
of tody from McGaw for which I paid him a Dollar 

21"' I fitted the fore part of the day at my compass & the afternoon I 
went to Capt Moors and got the 4 bushell of Rie I sent there yesterday 
ground and I had the toal 

22<i I Writ a Summons for Capt Walker in his son Silas and John Littles 
case for four Witnesses and I went with Calvin Johnson and Run the 
lines of the lott that he has bot from Enos Bradford in the Sixth Rang and 
then I went and Rim the East end of the two lotts he got in the fifth Rang 
and the south side unpaid 

23'i I went tO' Capt Walkers and spent the day arbitrating between 
Silas Walker and John Little with james Martin and janies Vose we 
charged nothing for our trouble 



340 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

24*11 I writ a lease and counterpane for Saniuell Moor and Aniaziali Pol- 
lard of Moors place I charged half a Dollar they promised to pay it in 
Eqiial halves 

2o"> I writ a Deed from Matthew Little to janies Cairns of the half of 
his home place and Cairns came for me at Bed time and I went \^'ith him 
to his uncles and took the acknowledgement of the Deed and sit the whole 
night in Drawing Matthew Littles Will and finished between break of 
Day and Sunrise and he Signed it and I came home the fore part of the 
day 

26"^ James Little came about one or two of the clock and informed me 
that his bror wanted to have some addition and and some alterations and 
I went to writing and writ till night 

27tii I got to Writing and Cau-ns came and said that his uncle wanted I 
should go there and I went and allmost finished the second di-aft and by 
Reason of some further thoughts I had to Draw a thii'd and finished and 
had it signed after night and I came lionie about Bed time and Matthew 
gave me six sheets of paper 

28*'* I writ a Deed from Isaac Marston to William Palmer I charged 40/ 
old tenor for it and the acknowledgement they paid me 37/6 old Tenor of 
it and Palmer owes me 2/6 old Tenor yet 

29th Was our annual meeting which I attended and Swore the town offi- 
cers and I swore the Commitee that set oft' james Steels Wifes thirds for 
which Steel paid me a shilling 

30'^'' I went to Robert Alexanders and got four bushell of Rie and took it 
to Oapt Moors mill but could not get it ground And I went to Hugh Camp- 
bells and Vendiied his farm to John Manoughau for 398 Dollars & I Ven- 
dued several other articles We finished about 1}4 hour before break of day 
I stayed all night 

31^' I assisted Hugh Campbell in Drawing the Deed and Settling with 
Thomas Boies uutill about 10 o clock I charged 1^2 Dollar and Campbell 
paid me the money and one Mr Holebrook from Killingsly came to get 
some information about some land of his fathers in this town I gave him 
a line what I thot the Value was he urged me to take a pistereen which I 
did after considerable urging 

APRIL FIRST 

I went to Capt Moors mill and got the Meal of the Rie I took there on 
the 30th Ult and I had the Toal and as I was comeing home I took the 
acknowledgement of a mortgage Deed from John Mauoughan to Thomas 
Boies of Hugh Campbells place that he sold to said Manouglian Day be- 
fore yesterday for which Manoughan Gave me a pistereen and I coiild not 
give him the change and he gave me y*" overphis 

3<^ jamey helped his uncle John and Bob & David and I cut wood split 
two pine trees for wood 

4tu I Went to Amherst to Arbitrate between William Gordon and 
Thomas Murdough with Col: Lutwj^che and Esqr Fletcher and we ad- 
joiu-ned at Murdoiighs Request till Thursday for his bringing some papers 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 841 

from Hisborougli which was occasioned by Gordons laying in a demand of 
Two notes which had been Settled before 

5th I ^ypj(; a Deed from Enos Bradford to Cahau Johnson of three 50 lotts 
in Bedford and a Mortgage of the same to Bradford for security 

6*'^ we met and on the 7th and finished the arbitration Murdough fell 
32-7-101^ Debt the cost of Rafiferance was 3-5-0 the cost of court to be 
taxed at court Murdough paid my Expences at Hildreths I Reed Two Dol- 
lars for my time from Col: Lutwyche for Mr Godon I sit the Remainder 
of the days, in the Sessions and finished the Session and I paid Lieut Hil- 
dreth 2-3-6 Bay old Tenor being the Remainder of james Vose and my 
Expences at the Superiour coui't last September and came home in the 
night 

9"^ I paid james McOlure a dollar toward what shoes he made for us 

10"> I went and Run the lines of Jacob Freezes lott and William Barnett 
is to pay X hy Gelding my calves lambs &c and Nathan shad is to pay 
another }4 and Freize is to pay the one half I charge )4 a dollar in all and 
james Orr mended the Straps of my Spade 

11"» I finished drawing one of the leases of the School lotts to Hugh 
Campbell and he promised to pay me I coiild not have time to Write the 
other And I went to David Sawyers in Goffestown and I measured off 
six acres of josiah Woods land to Sa^vyer ancj. I measured off sixty 
acres to Timothy Johnson of the lott No 11 in the 5th Rang on the 
South side of Piscataquog Sawyer owns the Remainder and I got 4 Gal- 
lons of Molasses from Sam^i Moor at 17/ Bay old Tenor pr Gallon The 
Kagg and molasses and a long Strap weighed 54 £ 

12"' was a tedious Storm of Snow and hail and some Rain the wind 
Northeasterly and cold the most tedious storm we have had this long time 
if any to equal it all winter every circnmstance considered 

ISt"! Shed Steeled the toes of two shoes and Sett them On my horses fore 
feet and I went to McGregores and got a pound of Coffie and a Glas of 
Rum made into Tody for which I paid a pistereen and three coppers and 
in the forenoon I writ a letter to Deacon Williams to know the state of his 
accts as Treasurer for the propriety t)f Sowhegan East 

14th J ^yi-i^ a lease of John Monaughus place to John Glene for which 
Monaiighan paid me 1 ig pistereen with 1/6 Bay old Tenor that he over- 
paid me when I took the acknowledgement of his Mortgage deed to 
Thomas Boies made the two shillings for the leases today & I got 4 bushell 
of Rie from Rob' Alexander and got it Ground at Capt Moors and I had 
the Toal 

15**1 I got a streek of tire for my Cart that weighed 13 £ in the barr 
from james Martain and he turned up the ends and punched the nail holes 
And I -writ a long deed from Eben^ Wood to liis son Jonathan and a note 
and I took the acknowledgement I charged 2/6 Lawful and Jonathan 
promised to pay me And I drawed a Complaint and Warrant for Mr 
Joseph Currier against Sam" Richards with two subpenas for which Mr 
Currier paid me 3/8 Lawfiil 

17"i I went to Litchfield and Riin some lines for Esqr Claget he would a 
paid me but I would not take any but told him I would want his advice 



342 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

and assistance iu the affair of james Smith and me And I paid Doctor Par- 
ker 6/6 being his charge for what he had done for our Susannah of her 
money and 1/3 for what he did for my Wife and I settled my note ^\^th 
Col Lut^vyche I had 8/5 allowed me out of Capt Parkers Estate and I paid 
him 11/ 4-5 which paid wp the note and I came home 

IS*'' I made a new handle to our Spade and made a pole to fish at the 
ponds 

19"' I got james Orr to make two hoops for our great Kittle one of them 
was my iron the other was Sheds and he made part of a chain for my Can- 
uoe of my iron and writ a deed from Alexander McCalley to his son Alex- 
ander and I took the acknowledgement unpaid 2/ 

20"' I Reed the Melancholy news in the morning that General Gages 
troops had fired on our Contrymen at Concord yesterday and had killed a 
large number of them our town was notified last night We Generay met 
at the meeting house about 9 of the Clock and the Number of twenty or 
more went Directly off from the Meeting house to assist them And I came 
to Sheds and james Orr made me a great wheel Spindle of my Steel and 
he mended the Ear of a little kittle and finished the chain for my cannoe 
he found iron for near a quarter of the chain the rest was mine And our 
John came home from being down to Peutuckett and intended to Sett off 
for our army to morrow morning and our Girls sit up all night bakeiug 
bread and fitting things for him and John Dobbin 

2P' oui* John and John Dobbin and my bror Samiiell two oldest sons sett 
off and joyned Derryfield men and about six from Goffestown and two or 
3 more from this town under the comand of Capt John Moor of Derryfield 
they amounted to the No of 45 in all Sunkook men and two or three others 
that joined them marched in about an hour after they to 35 there was nine 
more went along after them belonging to Pennykook or thereabouts and 
I went to McGregores and I got a pound of Coffie on Credit 

22<i I was wakened in the morning by Mrs Chandlers comeing with a 
letter from the Comitee of the Provincial Congress for calling another 
Congress of the Pi-oviuce iinmeadeately and I went with it as fast as could 
to John Bells but he was gone to our army and both the others allso and I 
went to Robert Alexanders and got 4 biTshell of Rie on Credit and took it 
to Capt Moors mill and got it ground and I had it the Toal and I had }.< a 
bowle of Tody at McGaws for which I paid /4 Lawful 

24tii luy neck was so stiff that I could not do anything with a cold I had 
got 

35th I went and notified on the River Road to meet at the meeting house 
in the afternoon on oiu- publick Distress and I went to Col : Goffes to ask 
his advice and met toward evening and acted on what we thot necessary 
and my Brors jos helped me with their 3 pair of Oxen to cross plow 

26"' I went at the desire of the town to Col Goffes and Merrils and 
MacGregores and Cautioned them to take Special care of Strangers and 
persons Suspected of being Torys Crossing the River to Examin and 
Search if they judge it needful and I got a pound of Coffie and nine flints 
from MacGregore for which I paid him 11/8 Bay old tenor 

27th Was the Province Fast bv the Governors Pi'oclamation 



MATTHEW TATTEN'S DIAliY. 343 

28"^ 1 began to Stock Capt Blairs Gun and I went and got jamey Orr to 
forge nie a Screw nail for the breach of the Gun and I fitted it and cut 
tlie screws and he made lue a burning iron all of my iron 

29"^ I worked some at Stocking the Gun and the boys planted Potatoes 

MAY 1st 

the boys planted potatoes and I worked at the Gun and William Barnet 
gelded 3 lambs and a Boar for us and our John and John Dobbin came 
home 

2^ Shed forged a Guard and some Rods for pining on the Quills and 
Stock on the Gun and I attended a Meeting of the town on oiu- affairs of 
the country and Capt Moor had a training and our John and John Dobbin 
came home 

3<i I finished Stocking Capt Blairs Gun and the Boys got our Dung and 
planted some at Potatoes 

4"i I gave Jonathan Wood a Warrant of apprizement to apprize a mare 
he impounded yesterday unpaid 

4"^ I with the other partners met and hung the Scene but did not Draw 
the River was so high 

5*"^ I shelled out our seed corn we have about If 2 bushell and the boys 
finished planting potatoes and I went to Mr Alexanders and got 4 bushells 
of Rie and got it Ground at Capt Moors and I had the Toal 

Qth I -vvent to the lott by Sheds and got some stuff for a Salmon pott and 
brot it home and put it into Soak 

7"^ Being Sabath day the fire came from Adam Dickeys on both sides of 
Sebeans Swamp the wind high at the South we were obliged to go all 
hands in the Evening and had to work till midnight to Stop it it came on 
a little Rain and put it out 

8"^ I shaved Some of the Stuff for the Salmon pot and split out the re- 
mainder of the stuff 

9"^ I finished Shaving the Shaving the Stuff for the pot and Bundled it 
for carrieing to the falls and jamey and David Carted off the old Cole pit 
Stuff and other Sticks off the broke up ground 

ll'h I2'h & 13th J -went to the falls and naild on the new covering on my 
Salmon pot and I borrowed 200 clapboard nails from my bror Sam" to do 
it with and in the time I hung a Nett and catched 3 Shad and Some El- 
wives and John Bell and I set the pot on our new setting place and I had 
my bror* oxen cros plowing two days 

14th I -^ent up in the Evening and got John Dunlap and Henry Stevens 
and took up the pot out of which I took Six Salmon and 4 Shad The Sal- 
mon weighed 70 £ I gave Tho* Miller 4 Shad and about 12 Elwives 

From the loth to the 20th Inclusive I fished at the falls I got 106 Ells 
and how may shad I cant Remember on the 19th we finished planting 
corn on the 16th we had a town meeting in Bedford at which we Voted to 
Shut the meeting house against Mr Houston and I was (;hosen to attend 
the County Congress next Wednesday at Amherst 

22<i I got 27 Ells for my Divide and I borrowed 78 that I sent home 105 
and 10 jamey Patterson gave 10 Ells for me for Rum 



344 MATTHEW patten's DIAF.Y. 

28'^ no fisli got at the falls and I came home to go to the cougi-ess 

24*'* our Boss cow took bull aud I went to the congress and came home 
at break of day my Expeuces was was about 16/(5 bay old Tenor 

25"* I went to the falls and Tarried untill the 27th at night the boys and 
I got as many Eels as paid what I had borrowed from Racket viz 78 and I 
borrowed 11 from jamey Patterson and 13 from Sam'' Patterson and 15 of 
my own made 39 

29"* I went to Amherst and met the Rest of the Commitee and we took 
the care of the Goal and took from under his hand to Deliver it to us the 
first Tuesday in July next and I came homo at Break of day next morning 
my Expences was 19/6 Bay old Tenor 

The rest of the month I fished but how many I got I dont Remember 

JUNE 3d 

« 
I ^vrit a Deed from Charles Blacks widow to John Gardner and took the 

acknowledgement both unpaid 

7th ^p iiad a fine Shower and jamey and I fished at the Setting place 
and got Six Salmon 

gtii my brors John and my jamey and I fished at our Setting place and 
got five Salmon and we had 3 of them 

12"* David and I fished and we got 8 Salmon one of 10 £ I sold to Rob' 
MacGregore and 3 to David Gage of 34 £ and I am to have a pair of 
Piimps from him and I lent one of 9)4 £ to Rob' Richardson and one I 
gave to Alex'' MacMurphy 

14"* David and I fished and we got Six Salmon and 5 Shad the Salmon 
weighed 68 £ and I let Nathan Shed have them all they came to 14/7 1/5 

16"* David and I fished and we got one that weighed 10 £ and we had 
two large Salmon broke through the nett the one we got I let John Wal- 
lace have and he paid me the money for it 

17"* I with my bror went to John Bells to ■s\Tite an answer to Mr Mac- 
Gregores letter in behalf of the town 

19"* jamey and Bob and I went to the mouth of the brook and hauled 
and catched Six Salmon they weighed 76 £ I divided in equal halves with 
Martin and I let Stephen Frenches wife have two that weighed 24 £ And 
I ^^Tit all the fore part of the day in framing an answer to Mr Macgi'e- 
gores letter to John Bell And the afternoon I attended Matthew Littles 
funeral And Bob and David fished at the Setting place and got 1 Salmon 
that weighed 10 £ and Rob' MacGregore had it toward fishing expences 
they got two Shad allso 

20"* I worked at makeing a pail 

2P' David and I fished and we got three Salmon and I let David Gage 
have two that weighed 21 £ and the other I brot home 

22'i Was a fast by order of the Provincial Congress and I sent ^o of the 
Salmon to Sam" Gordon that I brot home yesterday & our Belled Cow 
took Bull 

23'^ David and I fished and I catched 5 Salmon by Scooping they 
weighed 60 £ and I let David Gage have two that weighed 21 £ and I got 
one from Robert Richardson that he owed me of 10 £ 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 345 

34*'' I gave jaiues Caldwell oue of the salmou I got yesterday aud I weut 
to the Falls but got uo salmon Aud I gave a uotificatiou to Col Starks sou 
W" for his father to Notifie Capt Page to come and hear some depositions 
taken at McGregores on Monday next 

2(5*'' I went to MacGregores aud Swore 4 Witnesses for Col : Stark to be 
improved at Exeter at the Cougress in their Disputes in Duubartou unpaid 
and I borrowed a Salmon of O^o £ of james Patterson for my bror to take 
to the army 

27"' I went to the Falls and Fished and got uo Salmou 

28 29 & 30*'' I got some White Ash and made some Scoop nett bows on 
the 30th John came home on a furlow 

JULY 1st 

I made some scoop nett bows and I sit up a pail 

3'^ 1 hooped the pail I set up the first aud the afternoon I went with 
Sam'^ Vose my Bror^ and met John Bell at Adam Dickeys And took his 
Wifes Deposition aud james Mathies aud his son Roberts of some dis- 
course Mr Houston had to them Relating the cruel acts of Parliament 

4"' I went to Aiuherst to the County Cougress and it Rained near night 
aud untill near dark and I tarried over night at Heldreths my Expences 
was 17/2 Bay old Tenor 

5*'* I came home in the morning nothing material untill the 11th when 
John sett off for the Army he Rid my horse down iu the time I made la 
pail and a washing tub and went to McGregores to See Lieut McCalley 
about comeing to assist as a commiteemau concerning Mr Houston bu.t did 
not see him on the 10th Martain aud I got Six Salmon that weighed I sup- 
pose about 60 £ we did not weigh them we gave Capt Moor one of them 
we had the half of the six 

12*'' We got 11 Salmon they weighed 123 £ I had the half aud martin 
was 10 £ ahead of me and I had that made up aud I am 7 £ ahead of Mar- 
tin Aud janiey aud Bob and my brors John went off iu the evening and 
catched 10 that weighed 1 1 1 £ we had % of them and I weut to see Lieut 
McCalley but he was not at home and I writ a letter to him aud Sent it by 
james Riddel 

13*'' I weut to Amherst to judge Esqur Whiting for his being a Tory 
and I took two Salmon with me that weighed 20 £ I sold one to Mr Hil- 
dreth and I gave him the other I had 2/C pr £ Bay old Tenor my expences 
was 16/6 Bay old Tenor 

14 & 15*'^ I with Deacon Boies and John Wallace apprized Matthew Lit- 
tles Estate 

IT*'' There was 4 of Goffestown Committee aud 4 of Merrymac and 2 
from Derryfield met in Bedford by the desire of Bedford commitee to 
judge of Mr Houston beiug an Enemy to this country they judged him 
Guilty and confined him to the county without leave from the majr part 
of oue of the commitees of the towns who judged him we broke up the 
next morning after day break 

18*'' I did uo business 

1!)*'' I worked at Stocking a Gun for Mr Baker of Derryfield 



346 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

20*11 "Was tlie Coutineutal Fast aud Mr Cook preached with us in Bed- 
ford he preached with us last Sabath day which was the first preaching 
we have had since we sliut the meeting house doors agt Mr Houston 

2P' I Ahnost finished Stocldng Mr Bakers Gun and janiey and Bob 
Reaped for Mr Shedd for which he is to hoe for nie 

23'^ Mr Sliedd hoed for me for the boys Reaping for liim yesterday 

23<i Mr Cook preached in Bedford 

24th ^Q finished hilling the new field west from the barn 

25th y^Q worked at makeing a new cow yard and plowing up the old one 
and David went to his uncle Alex'^ to mill 

26*'' I got two Tea ciip fulls of Turnii^ seed from old Mrs Turil for which 
I gave her 3/ Bay old Tenor and I sowed the yard with seed and we fin- 
ished makeing the new cow yard in the forenoon and we reaped the After- 
noon 

27*'' was a very Refreshing Rain and we lay by and did not Reap 

28 & 29"' we Reaped in the field by the Barn 

30"' Mr Burnap preached in Bedford 

31st -^e finished Reaping the field by the Barn there was 32 Stooks in it 
and we got it carted into the barn 

AUGUST FIRST 

I butchered our heifers Calf it was a very poor and not large and the 
boys began to Reap in the old Field before the house and I writ severall 
letters viz 8 to Divers of the Comitee of the county to meet at Amherst the 
8th instant to do something about Lancey and Silas Barron 

2(1 3d 4th ^ j^]^Q gth at noon we finished Reaping we have 41 Stooks aud 
5 Sheaves in the field before the house We have 73 Stook and 5 Sheaves in 
all this year and we took the skin of the Calf we killed the 1st Instant to 
Stephen French to Tan 

7"' I went allong the River as far as McGaws and round by Neasmiths 
aud Tho^ Wallaces enquireing after my Calf that stroled away but could 
hear nothing of it and I got a pint of Brandy at McGaws for which I paid 
6/0 Bay old tenor 

gtii I went to Amherst to meet the commitee of the County to do some- 
thing between Tho** Lancey and Silas Barron but there was none of them 
come but Dauiell Campbell and we could do nothing and I came home in 
the night my expences was 5/ Bay old tenor aud I took the acknowledge- 
ment of a Deed from Capt Moor to Charles Black for Blacks widow 

gth iQth 11th ^ p^jj-t; Qf fijg 12"' cloudy and raiu and I fitted of some new 
Rakes 

13"' Mr Webster preached in Bedford 

14"' I brot the fii-st load of hay from the little meadow 

15th jgtii ^ 17th I ]jj.ot a load each day and jamey Bob aud David stayed 
at the meadow since Monday morning they all came home tonight there 
was a great Shower attended with a great deal of thunder and lightening 
in the night 

IS"* the boys dryed the hay at the meadow and I Reed a Sixteen Shill- 
ing bill from Dauiell MacFarland on his note by oui- Susey 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 347 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 18 1775 

19"^ I brot a load of hay from the lueadow 

20t'i ]\/[j. Cook preached in Bedford 

31^' I brot a load of hay from the meadow & Siisey bot 2 £ of tobacca 
from johu Wallace and paid a pistereeu for it 

22<i I paid Moses Watt Thu-ty two shillings Bay old tenor for kuiting 
my part of the scene the two last seasons being 20/ one year and 12/ the 
other and I brot a load of hay from the meadow 

23'^ I brot a load of hay from the meadow 

24*'^ I butchered a weather sheep that weighed 35 1^ £ ^nfl I hrot a load 
of hay from the meadow 

25*'' I brot in a load from the meadow and a small load out of the mead- 
ow at home 

26*^ I went and Run the hues of the meadow lott no 55 in the little 
meadow for Col Daniel Moor and the boys burned the Brow between the 
meadoAv and the old field by my brors 

27"' Mr Cotton preached in Bedford in exchange with Mr Cook 

28"' I went and Split a Rail cut between this and James Caldwells it 
made 17 Rails we hauled it to the path last Winter and I fell a tree on my 
brors land and cut of a length for Rails and Quartered it 

29"' Was a Rainey day and Shed put a peice of his iron to one of my 
betle Rings and worked it over and made a new one of it and I Coppyed 
at the Inventory of Matthew Littles Estate about half the afternoon 

30"' Deacon Boies John Wallace and I met at widow Littles and finished 
apprizeing and coppying the Inventory and went to Swear to the apprize 
but Col Golfe was not at home 

31»- I went to Col Littles and from there to McGregores after Vinigar 
to Save pickles it Rained considerable in the afternoon I had a bowle of 
tody at McGregores for which I paid /8 La Mo 

SEPTEMBER 

1^* I went to Deacon Walkers after Vinegar and I cut 4 treas for Rails 
N W of the Meeting house 

2'^ We got our hay at the little meadow dried and brot it home I have 
but Eleven jags there in all this year 

3<i Mr Cook preached in Bedford from Revelations 8d and latter part of 
the 1st verse the wind high at about E N E and in the afternoon it Raind 
considerable 

4"' it was cloudy all day and I went N W of the Meeting house and 
I cut and Split the trees into Rails that John fell last faul on the Minis- 
terial land and David and Alex"^ came out ^vith the Team and brot home 
53 Rails 

5th ^g igiit 41^ bushells of Apples to Deacon Littles and a barrel and 
they (viz) Deacon Little and Amaziah Pollard filled up the barrel with 
what my apples made and Deacon Little gave me his part and Bob took 
home 32 Rails of what John fell and 17 posts of our last years getting and 
I cut off' 4 Rail cuts and butted them 



348 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

6"^ Bob went and bi'ot home the barrel of Cydar from Deacon Littles 
and he brot a barrel from there to Mr Sheds and I went and split 58 Rails 
N: W: of the Meeting house and I had mad a hoop for our large snuff mill 
and Drawed the point of two Eell hooks and we got £ of Rice that John 
bot and Sent up by Zechariah Chandler for us 

7"^ we Sent a pound of Ribwort Tea and a Salt Salmon by Mr Shed to 
John and my mfe and I went a Visiting to William Wallaces and I went 
to Rob' Neasmiths and Riin lines for him for which I charged him 2/ La: 
Mo: unpaid 

gth ^ gth -yyg worked at the hay in the meadow we got all mowed and 
two load in 

11th -^g began to Cut at our stalks and we got the hay all in cock 

12'''> I went to Tho^ Newmans in Derryfield and got a bushell of Rie 
from him for Mr Shedd and got it ground at Griffins And the afternoon 
I went to Esqr Blodgetts and Attended as a Commissioner on Capt 
Perkins Estate but no Creditors came Shed gave me money to pay my 
ferriage and I had ^4 a bowle of tody at McGregores for which I paid 
four pence very near and I paid Mr Merril what I owed him for ferriage 
being /9 La: Mo: 

13"^ We got in the hay of the south branch of the meadow being the 
last and we bound and Shocked the Stalks we have 37 Shock 

14'^^ & 15*'^ jamey and Bob thrashed 11 Stook of Rie and I cleaned it up 
with Some that was thrashed before I cleaned up 13 bushell and almost 
a half and we took 14 bushel of apples to my brothers and put in with his 
and filled up two barrel full of Cydar 

16"^ I sowed about 3 bushel of Rie among our corn and hoed part of it 
in and I went to McGaws and I got three pints of brandy and two pounds 
of Alum and a pound of copperas for which I paid him 31/9 Bay old Tenor 
and I came to Thomas Wallaces and I got 3 £ of tobacca for which I paid 
13^ pistereens 

18"* I sowed a bushell of Rie among the corn and I went to Griffins mill 
and I took two bushell of Rie and I got one bushell of it ground and 
I went to the falls to Veiw a place that Will'" Karr found to set a pot and 
I had ^2 a bowle of tody at MacGregores for which I paid 2/3 bay old Ten' 
And I came to the mouth of the brook and the boys came and we catched 
two Salmon that weighed 19 £ and I liad them both Martin had two that 
they catched some time ago so that these two fell to me 

19''* I sowed two bushel of Rie and cut 2 Rail cuts and fell a chestnut 
tree log post beyond the meeting house and came and attended a town 
meeting 

20"* I sowed two bushell of Rie and blocked out a yoke for our Stears 

21^' I and Alex had Sheds chau- Wheels and I went to Alex' Macmur- 
phys and took two bushell of Rie and an old chest to bring Grapes in to 
make wine or Viuigar but got but a few and I left Alex' and the horse 
and wheels and I came home 

22'' it Rained in the afternoon considerable 

23'' I went to W'" Palmers and I bot 4 Earthern Pots that came to 18/9 
Bay old Tenor on credit three of them was 5/ apeice and one was 3/9 and 



MATTHEW patten's DIAHY. 349 

Alex' aud Polly came home from their Uncle Alex'' with Sheds chair 
wheels and the two meal from there and the bushell from Gritfens that 
I left there the 18th Instant 

24"' Being Sabathday I attended the funeral of Major Moors wife of 
Derryfield Mr Cook preached a Sermon in the forenoon before the funeral 
at the Majors Barn 

25"' I went aud got Walnut at Sam" Moors for bows for my Stears and 
Shed sharpened my Drill and I sowed a bushell of Rie 

26"' I sowed two bushell of Rie and I went to Amoskeig falls and Rob' 
Gillmor of Goffestown met me at McGregores and we fitted a place for 
Setting the pot between the black Rock and the next on this side and 
I had }i a bowle of Tody at MacGregores for which I paid 2/3 bay old 
Tenor 

27"' I shaved two pair of Ox bows and the afternoon I went to McGaws 
to arbitrate between him and Rob' Neasmith but they broke up and we 
did nothing 

28"' I sowed a bushell of Rie which finished solving the Indian corn 
ground I have Sowed twelve bushell on it in all and I went aud met 
several of the partners in the Scene at the fishing ground and we haiiled 
loggs off the ground We haled on and held a meeting aud we A^oted to 
Rais a Dollar on a Right 

29"' I cleaned up 5 bushell and almost a half of Rie and the boys finished 
hoeing in the Rie on the corn land in the fore part of the day 

30"' we got in a load of corn being the first we got in this year 

OCTOBER FIRST 

Mr Webster preached in Bedford 

2'' 3^ 4"' aud 5"' We worked at harvesting the corn 

6"' I sowed the meadow bank aud the boys Raked and harrowed it in 
I sowed a little more than 3 pecks on both sides of the brook 

7"' I went and Run some lines for Col: Goffe and Bob went to mill to 
his uncle Alex'' Macmurphys and he gave him some meal more than the 
grain he carried made 

8"' Mr Webster preached in Bedford 

9"' I butchered a Weather aud we husked corn 

10"' my wife and I went to see Col: John Stark who sent us a card 
yesterday we had widow Barnets mare 

1 1'*' I with Deacon Boies and John Wallace was apprizeing at Matthew 
Littles Estate and the boys got in the last of the corn and Stalks 

12"' we finished husking we have by our basket about 90 bushell 

13"' we all went a chesnuting and got a bushell aud three pecks 

14"' we all went a chesuuting aud we got 3 bushell aud 3 pecks 

15"' Mr Webster preached in Bedford 

Ifi"' We sent Johns Surtute and leather breeches and striped shirt and 
a pound of liberty Tea to Mr Cal(h\'ells for Lieut Caldwells son Sam'"' to 
carrie down to John and David and I went Chesnuting and we got 
a bushell 

17"' I went to MacGregores on Col: Moors invitation and waited on him 



350 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

lie gave the field officers tlieir commissions and Bob David and Alex'' a 
cliesmiting and got a busliell 

18"' jamey Bob David Alex'" and I went a chesniiting and we got three 
bushell and a peck 

19"' it Rained a considerable in the night before and some today and I 
went and got a stick on the west end of Zach Chandlers land N: W: from 
the Meeting house for basket stuff 

20"' Rainy weather and the boys cleaned the potatoe Bin in the outside 
Cellar and I made a basket 

21^* an exceeding Rainy day and I made another basket and Bob went 
to Col Moors to Mill and got two bushell of Indian corn Ground being the 
first of our corn we ground this Year The Rain we have had made a great 
flood in the River it is Rare we have so large a freshet any spring 

23'! I got hoops and Ears for my Basket and fitted them off and Bob 
harrowed with our four oxen for Shed 

24"* we began to dig potatoes we diged 10 bushell being the first this 
year to lay by 

25*'' my brother Sam'' paid us 1?^ of a bushell of salt toward what they 
borrowed from us and We diged 10 bushell of potatoes and Bob went 
to mill to Col Moors and got two bushell of Rie and a bushell of Indian 
ground 

26*'! We digged 18 bushell of potatoes 

27"' We digged 30 bushell of Potatoes and I swore John Bell to the no 
of Souls in Bedford to be pd by the town 

28"^ we digged 26 Bushell of potatoes and the night following it began 
to snow after dark very fast and covered the Ground 

29"' the groiind all covered in the morning but went all off in the after- 
noon 

SO"! We digged 31 bushell of potatoes 

3Xst -^Yg digged 28 bushell of potatoes 

NOVEMBER 

1^' The boys digged about 17 bushell of poatoes being the last we have 
1 70 bushell in all this year we put them all in the Cellar and I sjient the 
day in framing a Complaint for the Selectmen to the Commitee of Saf ty 
for Mrs Heppers casting her Daughter Hannahs child on the town and a 
Warrant to the Constable to seize her goods to maintain the child and 
going with the Constable and Selectmen to Seize the goods 

2<i We began to take up our Turnips and got up the half or more of them 
and I went to help to Repair the bridge over piscataquog River there was 
one of the north shore String peices broke by bringing over John Littles 
mill stones yesterday we put in Two New ones 

d^ was a Rainey day and Alex'' and I cut at the Turnip tops 

4th -yye got up the Remainder of our Turnips and in the Evening we cut 
the topp of all bvit about half a basket we have about 12 or 13 bushell 

6"' I went to McGaws and to see james Piper to try to get some money 
from him but got none and I got five £ of tobacca from Tho^ Wallaces 
John on credit 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 351 

7*'^ was a Rainy day and I ^vrit ten letters to people that owed me for 
money I was considerable agiieish 

gth J -yyent to Col: Moors mill and I took two bushell of Indian corn and 
a bushell and a half of Rie and got it ground 

9"> was a Rainy day in the afternoon 

10*'^ Lieut Moor Butchered my Near Steer he weighed 341 £ of Beaf and 
60 £ of hide and 16 £ of Tallow it Snowed this morning so that the Ground 
was all covered it melted away by near two o clock in the afternoon 

11"> The Boys began to Cart out Dung and I hooped 3 Barrels for salting 
meat in 

12"^ Mr Webster preached in Bedford 

13"^ I went according to the Wart that the Commitee of Safty had 
signed for securing Mrs Heppers things to the meeting house to meet the 
other of the Comtee to determin who should niainten Hannah Murfeys 
child We did not determin but adjourned till Monday the 27th Instant to 
meet at my brors at ten of the Clock a forenoon we broke up between 10 
and 11 o Clock at night 

14"^ I went and Run side lines and went across the West end of Ann 
Kennedys lott att her desire I charged half a Dollar unpaid 

15th Was a Storm of Snow it snowed all day it fell about 3 inches deep 

16'h I went to Daniell MacFarlands to bring home Suseys heifer that 
was there but I could not drive her and came home without her and I 
spent the Evening with Widow Little at my brors 

17th Wg oil gQt; wood and some log pine 

18*^ I spent the day with the Rest of the Comt of Safty on Widow Lit- 
tles and Cairns Dispute we broke up a while after dark 

igtii jyjj. "Webster preached in Bedford 

20"» I sold Suseys heifer to Samuell Moor and Amaziah Pollard at two 
pence pr £ the hide and Tallow is to be Reckoned Equal in weight to 
quarter of the Beaf and tlifi price to be the same as the beaf And Lieut 
butchered my off Stear he weighed 348 £ of Beaf and 58}4 £ of Hide and 
151^ £ of tallow Susesy heifer weighed 68>^ £ a quarter she came to 
2-17-1-0 Lawful money and I took the note in my name 

21'' I attended at Col: Goffes on Widow Littles account concerning the 
diferance between her and james Cairns she paid my ferriage 

22'! Bob and I went and got a Stick for Runers for a Dutch Sled and 
beams we got the stick for the Runers in the west end of William Bar- 
netts land 

23'' I hewed at the Runers for the sled 

24"» I attended at Widow Littles with the other prizers and finished 
apprizing Matthew Littles Estate and made Returns to the judge he Swore 
us 

25'h I split the Sole peices for my Sled after I had whet my hand Saw 
and Bob went to Major Tolfords with some cloath that Susey wove for 
William Morrow 

27"' I hewed three beams for my Sled 

28'h I worked at the beams of my Sled and jamey and David got some 
wood and Bob came home from Chester and th(>re was a training in Bed- 



352 MATTHEW patten's DIAUY. 

ford, and the Oommissns under the Provincial Congress was given out for 
the company 

29"' was a moderate Thawy day the wind at S: W: and Rain Consider- 
able the night before and I fitted at the beams of my Sled 

30"> Was the Provincial Thanksgiveing by order of the Congress 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I went to John Bells -on the acct of the Selectmens complaint against 
Lydia Hepper and she Consented to give the Selectmen a note she had 
against Phillip Felix of thirty Dollars and we gave an order to the consta- 
ble to deliver her the goods that was attached for the Maintenance of the 
child 

2*^ I went in the afternoon to William Newmans along John Wallace to 
see the delivery of Mrs Hepper goods that he attached of hers and Bob 
went with the Team and halld Fifty bushell o Coals from David Moors to 
Shed 

3'' Mr Cotton preached in Bedford for Mr Webster 

4'h I attended at Widow Littles at her desire to Evidence before the men 
who were chose to Arbitrate between her and Cairns but Cairns flinched 
from what he agreed to when they met last on which acct there was noth- 
ing done 

5th J went to Col: Moors mill and I took two bushell of Indian corn and 
a bushell and a half of Rie and got it Ground and the Commite Reed The 
poppy of a letter from General Sullivan to the Comtee of Saf ty for the 
Province for 1984 men to be Raised in the Province to fill the place of 
Conecticutt men who were to be dismist the 6th Instant 

gth The town met at the Meeting House and there was 12 men turned 
oiit and Enlisted there was 7 Guns lacking to Equip them and the Comitt 
is to prociu-e them my Brors Samuell and I borrowed John Maclaughlins gun 

7'^' I spent the day in going to Lieut Moors and other places to procure 
Guns for the men that goes out of this town but got none 

gtii I -went to McGaws to meet our men that listed to go into the army I 
got home the latter part of the night my Expences was a pistereen and I 
bot an almanack for which I paid six coppers 

9"' John set off for the Ai'my and Bob went with him as far as Esqr 
Lovewells with the horse and Shed upsett 2 axes and tempared 2 ex hook 
for me And Bob brot two £ of Shugar from McGaw for which I sent 8/10 
Bay old tenor 

llt'i I took 2 bushell of corn and 1^ bushell of Rie to Col Moors Mill but 
could not get it gi'ound they picldng the mill 

12"' I went to Mill and got the grain Ground I took to mill yesterday 

13"' I attended at McGaws at the choice of a Delegate for Merrymac and 
Bedford and Jonathan Blanchard Esqr and my Bror Sam" paid me a Dol- 
lar that he borrowed when he went after his Cart Wheels and a Dollar 
more in two Dollar bill that I could not give him the change and Sam" 
Gibson Junr paid me 10/ Silver toward my Running lines for him Sum- 
mer was a year and I got 10 £ of Redwood and 5 £ of logwood from 
McGaw for which I paid him 4/ Lawful money 



MATTHEW TATTEN'S DIAPtY. 353 

14"' I went to Col Moors to Write his Will and a Deed to his son of the 
Scobey place I \\Tit the deed and Aequitauce from him to his lathers 
Estate and a Note and I staid all night 

15"^ Josiah McNeall came down from Newboston yesterday and got to 
makeiug at Bobs coat and sent Bob for nie to come home and I came home 
and ^^'Tite for him till after night and We offset his work agt mine and I 
went back to Col IMoors after night 

16"^ I got a Ruft" draft of his Will and came home after dark last night 
Bob got 2 dozen of Metal buttons from McGaw for which he paid 2/ 
Lawful 

18"* I went to Robert Gillmoors in Goffestown to try to have him to 
make shoes for me but coiild not get him and I went to John Bells and 
assisted the men that went to Cambrdge last spring to fix a Roll to get 
pay for the same 

19"* I went to Londonderry to try to get a shoe maker and I got two 
pound of shugar at Pinkertons and half a pint of Rum for which I paid 
1/7 La^vful and I lodged at janies Macmurphys 

20"' I came home and I got a son of Deacon Miller to come and make 
shoes for us and I paid /4 Lawful for i^ a bowle of tody at John Duncans 
and I paid /4 for my ferriage 

2P' Extream cold and the wind high at N: W: 

22*^ The cold continues and wind high and John Miller came to our house 
and began to make a pair of shoes for jamey 

23"^ I went to Col: Moors mill and took 3% bushell of Indian corn and 
had it ground and I had the Toal being the first toal I had from him since 
last spring 

25"' I made 4 pair of heels for oiu-selves and 2 pair for my Brors famely 

26"' I made 2 pair of heels for ourselves and I got a Calfs skin from 
Stephen French for which he charged 5 / Lawful and John Miller went 
to McDuffies he has. made a pair for jamey and for Bob David and Betsey 
he came here last Fryday 

27"' We biitchered our hogs there was four of them they weighed 680 £ 

28"' I hewed and mortised a Rowler for my new Sled 

29"' I morticed the beams for my sled 

30"* I fitted some at the Sled and I sent Bob to Samuell Moors and he 
got two bushell of Indian corn and two bushell of Rie which is to be set- 
tled for in what he and widow Barnets owes me and he took it to Col 
Moors mill and got it ground and I have the Toal 

JANUARY FIRST 1776 

I set out with a Slay to go to the army and Bob went with me to tarry a 
year and we lodged at at Harwoods 

2<i we arived at Woburn and lodged at Esqr Fowles 

8<i we arrived at the Camp and went and veiwed the encampment at 

Cambridge and Prospect Hill and I lodged at Col Starkes Barracks in his 

bed This day I Reed a Dollar from Rob' McCormick that he owed me for 

Ruuing line for and others summer was a year and yesterday I Reed a 

23 



354 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Dollar and a half from Deacon Gould for niy Riming and new marking 
the lines of the home lott No 43 

5"^ I Reed a Dollar from Calvin Johnson for the use of my Gun last 
Summer 

6*'' I sett out from Medford at 11 o Clock and came to Mailings and 
Lodged there 

7"' I canine to Capt Fords and lodged tliere 

8"^ Capt Ford paid me what he owed me of the timber he had from me 
last spring was 3 year being 11-2-10 Lawfull money and I came home and 
I paid McGaw five Dollars toward what I owe him and I bot an iron Kittle 
from Ovid for which I paid him a Dollar 

10"' I went to Rob' Alexanders and paid his wife (he was from home) 
eleven Dollars and a pistereen which with four pistereens I paid him last 
spring paid 20 bushell of Rie I had from last spring it was 3 pistereens a 
bushell and I got 7 £ of shiigar and a Quire of paper at McGaws to be set- 
tled in om* acct and I had i-g a bowle of Tody for which I paid /4 Lawful 

11"' I went to Rob' MacGregores and Settled with him and I owed him 
19/1 La^vful and I paid him ofl" and I had a bowle of Tody for which I 
gave him a /9 bill and I got no change 

12th siied fitted an old beal for the kittle I bot from Ovid the 8th Instant 

13* John Miller finished makeing shoes at this time he has made ten 
pair in all and soled two pair he charged 18/3 Lawful for all he has done 
and I pd him 12/ of it And I got Shed to make 2 shoes for my horses hind 
feet out of the old ones exceept a thin old shoe he put in and sharped a 
calk of the 4 feet shoe he steeled the toes of the hind feet shoes with his 
Steel and Set them all four 

15th J -went with a bushell of Rie and a bushell of corn to Lieut Littles 
mill and got it Ground and I went to MacGregores and got my specticles 
that I left there the 11th Instant and I had 1.3 a bowle of Tody for which I 
paid /4 Lawful 

19*'' I finished makeing my new Sled and David and I brot home 3 load 
of wood that jamey cut before he took the Mumps he has had them some 
days 

20"" I took two bushell of Rie and 2 of Indian corn to Col: Moors mill 
and had it Ground and I had the Toal and I went to McGaws and I set- 
tled with him I owed him 26/ Lawful money I had two Quarts of Rum 
today which is included in the twenty-six shillings above mentioned and 
I had 4I0 pair of kniting needles from him for which I paid him 3/ Bay 
old Tenor 

22'! David and I got a load of wood home and almost another cut up by 
Shed 

23"^ David and I got home 2 load of wood and we hauled a load for Shed 
and he shut the link of a Draft chain 

24"' jamey got so well as to work and We got home a load of wood and 
some more cut 

25"' The boys got home two load of wood and cut some more and in the 
forenoon I writ a Deed of John Smiths place in Goffstown to Samuell Ord- 
w^ay and took the acknowledgement for which they paid me two shillings 



MATTHEAV FATTEN' S DIARY. 355 

and ill the afternoon I went to Robert McClures to a Meeting of our Scene 
owners we Voted to Rais a dollar on each Right and I paid my dollar to 
Sam" Wallace 

29"' I went to Tho^ Boies and Deacon Walkers to try to Buy a barrel of 
Cyder but could not get it 

80*'' I tryed to buy cydar on the River but could not 

FEBRUARY 1st 

I went to Londonderry and got the promise of a barrel or two at Deacon 
Fishers and I went Robert McMurphys and lodged there And in the Eve- 
ning I went to McDuflies and heard the Inquest on the body of Thomas 
Shirley of Chester who got a Stroke by John Patten of the same town on 
Christmas last with the heel of a Scyth which stroke proved his death we 
got home to Roberts about two o Clock in the morning 

2'' Robert McMm-phy let me have three bushell of salt and would not set 
a price he in a joking way said he believed he must have two dollars a 
bushell and I brot it home on horse back and he gave me a spear Rib & a 
leg of pork And I got 24 £ of fresh Cod fish from some men at Maj'' Goffes 
for which I paid 24/ Bay old Tenor I sent jamey and he bot them 

3<i I had 2 bushel of Indian & 2 of Rie ground at Col Moors I had the 
Toal 

5"' I went to Amherst and was Qualified by Mr Claget and Doctr Nich- 
oles as judge of Probate and a justice and I lodged at Mr Heldreths and I 
took two bushel of corn and two of Rie to Col Moors mill and had it 
Ground and I had the Toal 

6"^ I came home and brot home the meal of the grain I took to the mill 
yesterday and Mrs Moor gave me a peice of fresh pig pork to Roast my 
Expences was 42/9 Bay old Tenor 

T'h I -went to Tho^ Boies and got a barrel of Cydar from him the price 
of it is to be settled in what he owes me 

8"' and 9"' & lO*'' was dulll cloudy weather and fell a snow of 3 or 4 
inches deep and it Rained and Crusted a very sharp crust & Sam'' Patten 
juiir paid me 2/ for John Griff'en for Ruuiiig lines for him the 14th of 
Novbr 1774 

12"' my Brors John cut wood for us and I haulled home four load from 
the Swamp by the Causway 

13"* I hauled two load of wood from the Swamp 

14"* It snowed moderately all day it fell about an 11-^ inch Deep 

16"' David and I got home some Green pine to Split for wood 

17"' David and I got home two load of wood from the Swamp 

19"' I went to Amlierst to Assist Doctr Nichols to Remove the Records 
of Deeds and the Probate and we attended on Mr Atherton about the Pro- 
bate he gave for answer That he had not got his accts drawed out but that 
he was Ready to Deliver them as soon as he got that done and to see that 
the books were correct I lodged at Hildreths 

20"' The Doctr and I went to Hollis to see Majr Hobart about the Rec- 
rods of Deeds and he answered that he was Ready to Deliver the Books as 



356 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

soon as he had enterecl what deeds was Reed was entered And I came to 
Esqr Blauchards aud lodged there 

3P' I came home in the afternoon my Expences was 3/3 Lawful on this 
journey on the 19th Timothy Taylor took out letters of Administration on 
Doctr Toothackers Estate he paid a Dollar and Blanchard gave me the 
half 

22<^ we got home a load of wood and Shed made a peice of a plate to one 
of the shoes of the Sley of his iron 

23'i I put the Shoes on the Sley 

24th ^;^Q got a dry pine for to give light in the fire in the Room of Can- 
dle wood a very warm pleasant day 

25''^ I got a horn fine tooth come half a pistereen price 

26"! I put on the plates on the sley and I cut some pine wood by the 
Door 

37th -We got home two load of wood and it Rained considerable 

28* I went to Amherst to hold a Pi'obate Court we granted four admin- 
istrations the fees was 29/6 the Rigister gave me 10/6 I was chose to Rep- 
resent Merrimac and Bedford in the General Court 

29*'^ I came home my expences with ^2 a paper of pines that I bot was 
31/9 Bay old Tenor As I went to Amherst yesterday I took Four bushel of 
Corn to Col Moors mill and I had it Ground and I had the Toal and I brot 
it home today 

MARCH 2d 

I went to Deacon Fishers and bot a barrel of Cydar from him for which 
I paid him a dollar he charged £ 6-16-0 Hampshire old Tenor pr barrel 
There was about 40/ Hamp'' old Tenor in his hand since he wove some 
handkercheif s for us some years ago That I paid him biit a dollar in money 
And our John came hoiue from the army in the Evening 

4th John Miller came to make me a pair of pumps before I went to the 
General Court and we got home a load of wood out of the Swamp and a 
load of pine wood 

gth -y^Q got home two load of pine wood and a load out of the Swamp 
and it was very warm day and the wind at South and the snow melted 
fast And John Miller finished makeing my pumps and Sewed a pair of 
Soles on jameys shoes he charged 2/6 La: Mo: for this job and 6/3 I owed 
him for what he did before and I writ a letter to Col: Ai-nold at Quebec to 
get an acct of John Dobbyn and others 

7tii It rained a considerable last night and Snow much gone in the open 
land and I writ a Wart of apprizment of the Estate of John Smith of 
Goffestown and I tryed to get over the River to go to Exeter to the Gen- 
eral Court I went to MacGregores to try to get over the River but could 
not 

8"' I got over the River at Col : Goffes and I took janiey with me to 
bring back the horse and lodged at Towles 

9th I got into Exeter and sit in Court and jamey came back as far as 
Majr Tolfords 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY, 357 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MARCH Oth 1776 

I sit in the General Court uutill the adjournment which was the 23d I 
Reed pay for 15 days attendance my travil was 11/8 my whoU pay 
amounted to 5-1-8 

25"' I Reed my pay and I Reed Esqi* Lovells & Ensn Ames pay to bring 
to them I paid Amess reeoning at Doetr Gillmans what I paid was 2-12- 
5I0 and I lost about two pence in changeing and I came to Majr Tolfords 
and lodged there 

26*'^ I came to Rob' MacMurphys and he found me a horse and came to 
the River -with me he had no other business but to wait on me 

27"^ I went to Amherst to the Probate Court I Reed 17/ my part of the 
fees 

28"' I came home my Expeuces was 4/4 a and I brot home ll.i bushell 
of Rie meal and a bushell of Indian and }o a bushell of Rie before I had 
the Toal 

29"' I went to Majr Kellys and I took the proof John Smith and William 
White mils Mrs Smith paid me 7/ 

30"' Shed made a shoe of my iron and sett it on my horses fore near foot 
a very Raw cold wind & I gave jamey two Dollars and he got his shoes 
soled at McGregores he paid for it 

APRIL FIRST 

I \^Tit a letter for John and another for Col Stark and I paid james 
McClui-e 19/ Lawful being all I owed him for makeing shoes for me and I 
carried the letters to Capt Walker and there gave them them to Silas Bar- 
ron to give them to Majr Moor 

2*1 I -writ a Deed and a bond for Stephen Tuttle unpd and a Deed from 
Zech Chandler to Rob' Alexander unpd and one John Gregg of Peterboro 
Came from Esqr Blauchard with a bond and Wart of apprizemeut to be 
admited administrator to the estate of one James Swindon which I 
granted he paid 7 /6 which was 6 pence more than the fee and I could not 
make the change and we agreed to let it ly toward the next that must be 
paid and our jamey set out for Boston (with his Cosin John) I gave jamey 
three Dollars 

3^1 was a considerable Rain and I shelled 4 bushel of corn and I took the 
acknowledgement of a Deed from Zechariah Chandler to Robert Alexan- 
der I \yTit the Deed yesterday The Deed and acknowledgement unpaid 

4"' I went to Amherst to meet the other justices of the County to hold 
a Coiirt of Sessions but we did not open it by Reason that there was not a 
justice of the Coram there and I took IVo bushell of Rie and l^b bushell of 
corn to Col : Moors mill and got it Ground and I had the Toal 

5"* I came home and brot liome the meal from Col : Moors Mill that I 
got ground yesterday and I bot two gimblets from Means for which I paid 
him a shilling La : Mo : and I paid him four shillings and seven pence La : 
money for Samuell Moor the Remainder of a note Widow Barnet and my 
bror Sam'i gave means my Expences were 3/7 La : Mo : And I Reed 13/9 
from Cornet Graham for 40 shad fish he got from my -wife last summer 



358 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

was two year yesterday I pd Esquire Lovewell 6-7-4 L : M : and 6-2-8 L : 
M : to Eusn Ames being tlieii* pay for attending the General Court in 
March last which I drawed for them by their order Lovewell gave me 1/4 
and Ames Gave six pence for my trouble 

6th J writ a Deed from Matthew McDuffie to Amos Gardner and I took 
the acknowledgement and \\Tit some notes and McDuffie paid me the 
charge being 2/ 

7th J went to Col : Goffes with my bror Sam" and widow Barnett on 
their administration affairs 

8"^ I settled accts with Samuel Moor and he paid me 1-5-5- Lawful with 
what things I had from him before Shad what my bror and Widow Bar- 
net owed me for what I did about prizeing &c of Francis Baruiets Estate 
they had paid me 1-6-10 by things I bot at Vendue and the Remainder 
Samuell Moor paid me which with some lutrest was 2-3-7 I had 2 £ of 
moors money in my hand being a mouths wages as Soldier last Summer 
out of which I paid Mr Means 4/7 for him and Some things I had from 
him that there was 1-5-5 due now from him to me and I paid him 10/ with 
4/7 and the 1-5-5 made the 2 £ that was in my hands 

9"^ I finished ^vi'iting two Deeds and a Bond for Simeon and Stei^hen 
Tuttle and I went to William Whites in this town to Divide a fifty acre 
lott between him and Will'" Rogers of Goffestown but Rogers did not 
come and I came away after waiting a while and I went and Run the 
north line of IVIr Gordons land next to Mr Heppers I charged Rogers 1/6 
and Gordon as much 

IQth I went to McGregores to see to find flaxseed and I had J^ a bowle 
for which I paid /4 La : Mo : and came by the Yoses and got the promis of 
some from Lieut Vose 

11**1 I went to Col Moors Mill and took Ho bushell of corn and ly^ bushell 
of Rie and got it ground and I had the Toal 

12* I \vrit a letter to John and Bob and sent it by John Dobyn who set 
off for New York today to join the army 

13*11 I went to Col Moors Mill and took \% bushell of rie and 1% bushell 
of corn and got it Ground and I had the Toal and I Reed of La : Mo : from 
John Orr being his part for my Runing lines for him and Matthew McDuf- 
fie a year or two ago 

15*ii Shed set a Shoe on my horses near fore foot and I carried a pair of 
leather Breeches to John Smith to get fitted for myself my John sent them 
to me and I went to Lieut Yoses to get flaxseed but he and his wife were 
both from home that I did not get any and got a parr of Soles for my every 
day pumps from John Wallace and we could not make change to pay for 
them 

W^ was a Rainy day and I shelled corn 

17th J -y^ent to David Moors with my pumps to have him sow on the 
soles I got from John Wallace yesterday and I went to William Palmers 
and paid his wife 1/ La : Mo : being the Remainder of what I owed him 
for what earthern ware I had from him last f aul and I went to MacGre- 
gores and had ^o a bowle of tody for which I paid /4 and the afternoon at- 
tended the adjoiu'nmeut of our march meeting & another new meeting 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 359 

18"^ WAS THE COLONY FAST 

20"^ I got a bushell of flaxseed from Lieut Samuell Vose & he said he 
owed me two shillings lawful and I gave hiiu /5 aud lawful aud one the 
two he owed me made the price of the flaxseed and he could not make the 
change to give me the other shilling and I got my pumps from David Moor 
that he sowed the soles on he was from home and I did not pay him for his 
wife did not know how much it was aud I got 6 pounds of flax from 
widow Little to be settled in my acct against the Estate 

22"^ I sowed three or four quarts of peas and the afternoon I went to the 
Raising of Zechariah Chandler's house 

23'i I took the proof of Thos Wallaces Will at my house and Reed six 
shillings Lawful from jos Wallace 

24"' I attended the Probate at Amherst and my part of the fees was the 
proof of the 3 Wills that I took at Goffestown and at home and granting 
Admr to John Gregg came to 27/ and the Register gave me a shilling more 
than my part and I paid my expences at Smiths And I bot a pair of plated 
knee buckles and 5 £ and 10 ounces of lead at Means for which I paid 6/ 
1%, my Expences at Heldi'eths I did not pay 

25"! I went with jona Esqr to Col Goffes and he Reed the Probate Books 
and Files which Atherton had sent there to prevent their comeiug into our 
hands as I suppose And I bot % a pound of shot from Mrs Rand for which 
I paid her /3 ^ La^vful money and I lent Esqr Blanchard 2/8 in cash 
and I paid our ferriage 

26"' I spent the day with my Cousin William Patten in the house 

27*'' the forenoon helping to mend fence the afternoon I writ a Deed 
from Stephen Tuttle to William Rogers & I took the acknowledgement 
both unpaid aud I took the acknowledgement of the Deed I writ last Tues- 
day from Zechariah Chandler to Hiigh Campell Chandler jDaid the ^vi'it- 
ing the Deed aud Campbell could not make change to pay the acknowl- 
edgement 

28"^ Mrs French gave me a fresh shad that her husband brot from the 
mouth of Concord river aud Mr Cotton Preached in Bedford being the 
first we have had since last fauU 

29"' I went to Col Moors Mill and I took 1)4 bushell of Rie and \% 
bushell of Indian corn and got it Ground & I had the Toal and I went to 
McGaws and I got 7 £ of Shugar and a quart of Rum and a Glas of Rum 
into tody for which I paid 49/2 Bay old Tenor and I went with Widow 
Little to her house to see if Cairns would give up his Deed that she might 
take her thirds but he would not and I went to McGregores & I paid him 
six Dollars for six bushell of salt and I brot home three bushell of it aud 
the other three I have to get 

30*'' was some Rain last night and this morning we shelled 2 bushels of 
corn and I got some hoop poles and shaved some hoops to put into some 
barrels 

MAY FIRST 

was a very high wind at N : W : and exceeding cold and I went to 
McGregores and got the last tliree biishell of the salt that I paid him for 
day before yesterday and I went to Major Kelleys with the Rest of the 



360 MATTHEW patten's DIAIJY. 

Coiniuittee of this town for hiriug preaching To treat with the Conitee 
for Goffestowu about the two towns joining to to hire a minister to preach 
for both towns but there was but one of Goffstowu comtee met us and we 
agreed to meet Tuesday come Sevenight at John Bells on the affair and I 
had a bowle of tody at Major Kelleys and they could not make change to 
pay for it 

2^ I got such a Cold yesterday that I was a good deal out of case and 
I put a New handle in one of our axes 

3'' I continued out of case and and Widow Smith of Goffestown and job 
Dow and John Clogston and signed a Bond on her admr on her Husbands 
Estate and I writ at Bonds and letters of Guardianship for her children 

4th J -yvent to Tho^ Boies and Samuell Kennedys to Get Hony for Alex 
McMurphy and I got a snuff bottle almost full at Sam^' Kennedys and 
some in another at Tho^ Boiess and they would not take any pay for it 
and John Smith breeches maker brot the breeches I took to him the 15th 
of last April he charged me a Dollar and I paid him the money 

6"» I w-ent to Col Moors Mill and took li., bushell of Rie and 1% 
biishell of Indian corn and got it Ground and I had the Toal it Rained 
considerable 

7"^ Shed made a shoe of my iron and set it on my horses off fore foot 
and I went with my brors Sam'i to see Col : John Stark who came from 
New York yesterday my Expences was 2/10 

8th I ^yent to Col: Moors Mill and took 1>^ bushell of Rie and 1}4 
bushell of Indian corn and got it Ground and I had the Toal it Rained 
considerable 

gtii "William White Returned the Inventory of his fathers Estate and 
him and the apprizers were sworn in common form he paid 4/ and Widow 
Smith returned the Inventory of her husbands Estate and she and the 
apprizers were Sworn in common form she paid 4/ and she paid me 15/ 
for guardianship for 4 of her children and 5/ to get two deeds put on 
Record for her of her late husbands Estate the Deeds she is to send to me 

11"! we began to fellow the old field by my brors 

12"^ we plowed at the field by my brors 

13"^ the boys plowed in the field by my brors and I went to Col Goffes 
and took the points of tlie Compass on the side of a peice of land and 
Meadow that Major John Moor was getiug from Col : Goffe and I writ 
a Deed of it and another Deed from the Col : to the Major of a lott in 
Derry and a peice on the River adjoining said lott where the Major lives 
I am to settle with the Major for my pay 

15'^^ I took a bond of Esqr Little and one of Lieut Sa^vyer as Guardians 
for John Smiths children of Goffestown and gave each of them a letter of 
Guardianship for which Widow smith paid me 15/ in may last and the 
afternoon I took home a Reed to Fugards that Susanna had weaveing 
a peice of Fustin in 

16'^ I set out for Exeter to attend as one of the Comtee of Safty for the 
Colony and arived there that night 

17th igth 19*'^ & 20"' I attended on the Exeter on the affair and set out 
for home the afternoon of the 20th and came to Chester and lodged at 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 361 

Capt Underhills I left the Gowu aud near 26 yards of Fustiii at Mr 
Barkers to cloathiers to be dyed aud dressed My Expeuces was 13/ 4 i 
I bot 4/ worth of things viz 2 £ of tobacca a rul) ball for my breeches aud 
a Declaration for Independance 

21^' I came home and went to writing letters to Crowu Poiut for on my 
journey dowu I got an account of my Johns Death of the Small Pox at 
Canada and when I came home ray wife had got a letter from Bob which 
gave us a particular account it informed us that he was sick of them at 
Chambike and that they moved him to Saint johus where they tarried 
but one night when they moved him to Isle of Noix where he died on the 
20th day of June the Reason of moveing him was the Retreat of the army 
which was very preceipitate and he must either be moved or be left behind 
whether the moveing him hurt him he does not inform us but it seems 
probable to me that it did He was shot through his left arm at Bunker 
Hill fight and now was lead after suffering much fategue to the place 
where he now lyes in defending the just Rights of America to whose end 
he came in the prime of life by means of that \vicked Tyranical Brute 
(Nea worse than Brute) of Great Britan he was 24 years and 31 days old 

22*1 I writ at letters to send to the army in all I \^Tit four one Col : 
Stark one to Major Moor one to Master Eagan and one to Bob 

23<i I went to Robert McGregores to meet the Post and Tarried all day 
but he did not come and I got a pound of Coffie from Moly McNeill and 
I had a bowle of tody for which I paid her 2/2 four pence was in her hands 
before of it 

24"i I went to McGregores and waited for the post but he did not come 
and I got two pounds of Coffie from Moly McNeal and j^ a bowle of tody 
and did not pay her for want of change 

25"^ I went set out to go to McGregores to meet the post and Met 
McGregores boy comeing for me on the post horse and I gave the post 
four letters for the carriag of which I paid him 4/ and he agreed to bring 
my Johns things exceept the Gun and accoutraments toward his doing 
it I paid him 8/ and I had half a bowle of <-ody and 2 quarts of Oats for 
the post horse for Which and and the two * of coffee and Yz bowle of tody 
I had yesterday I paid 4/1 and Patrick Murfey paid me 3/ and Zechariah 
Chandler looked the bill and one of them handed the bill to me and I put 
it up in my book without looking at it 

2G'-'i In the morning I found that the bill I took of Patrick Murfey 
yesterday was a 3 £ instead of a 3/ aud I took after him to overtake him 
to Rectify the affair but he was Gone that I could not I went as far as 
Col : Moors and got back at 12 o Clock 

27'h I mowed three small cocks in the lower end of the meadow and the 
afternoon I turned and Raked some the boys mowed in the pasture and 
between and the meadow and a little before night I went to McGaws and 
bot 7 £ of Shugar at 5/0 and a Quart of Rum at y^ ^i^^l ^2 a bowle of Tody 
at /4 which I paid him 

28"* I heard Mr Webster preached in Bedford 

29ti> we Shelled 4>^ bushell of corn and I took 1% bushell of Rie and 2 
bushell of corn to Lieut Littles mill but could not get it ground 



362 MATTHEW PATTE^Sr's DIARY. 

30"^ I went to Littles mill and got the nieal of the gi-ain I took there 
yesterday and I mowed in the afternoon in the meadow at home 

31"' I went to Aniherst to the Probate and we did as much biisiness as 
we took 16/ for and I had done as much at home as I took 15/ for of which 
the Register gave me 13/ and I paid him what I borrowed off him at 
Exeter being 52/ and I paid him 5/ that he had paid for me for my com- 
m.ission as a judge of Probt I tarried at Mr Hildreths over night 

AUGUST FIRST 

Col : Kelley according to orders from the Comtee of Saf ty published 
INDEPENDANCE in Amherst one of Amherst Companies under Capt 
John Bradford and Lindborough company .under Capt Clark attended 
under arms the Whole was conducted with decence and Decorum and the 
people departed in peace and good order The priusaple Gentlemen of the 
County attended but not any who have been suspected of being unfriendly 
to the country attended my Expences was 5/ I bot two scycles from 
Means for which I paid 5/ and I came home in the Evening and Doctr 
Nichols and I swore Col : Goffe Jacob Abbot Robert MacGregore and 
Moses Little as justices for this county and John Hogg and Zechariah 
Chandler as Coroners AND I Paid Ensu Ames 7-16-0 in cash and 2-10-6 
I paid Doctr Gillman for him was the whole of his wages for his attending 
the General Coiu't in their last Sessions Exceept two pence which he gave 
me whose wages I drawed by his order 

3^1 We began to Reap our Rie 

5"^ we Reaped with what we did the 3d to make 20 Stooks and got it 
into the barn and Shed made a new Shoe for my horse of my iron and Set 
it and set another for me and we got Acct by a letter from Master Egan 
to my bror that Bob was gone to Fort George to the Hospital Sick 

gth ^j 'bi-or borrowed ten Dollars for me and lent me four himself and 
we had sixteen dollars and 2/6 among us in the famely and I set out for 
Fort George to see Bob and the 14th I arrived at Fort George and found 
that Bob had got Better and was Returned to Tyconderoga 

16"> I arrived at Tyconderoga and tarried at Col Starke and his other 
field officers untill the 22d in the morning which time I set off for fort 
George and Bob with me on Furlow We were two days comeing over 
Lake George and September fii-st we arived home I was 27 days from 
home my Expenses was about 21 Dollars as I was going Samuel Pattersons 
wife lent me foiu- Dollars of her own accord and I paid them to her as I 
came home While I was gone our folks hired Rob' Giffen 2^2 days or 3 
days and Jonathan Griffeu one day and my Brothers Betty and Margaret 
helped to Reap from Tuesday noon till Saterday night when they finished 
they tell me that we have 25 Stooks of Rie in all this year and Deacon 
Moors John Reaped two days and a half for us 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I arrived home from the Army and Bob with me 

2"^ Widow jean Baruets two sons helped me at the little meadow 

3^' I deUvered to Mrs Newman the things her hiisband sent her from 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 363 

the Lake (viz) a pair of Silver shoe aud knee buckles a peice of Ban 
leather and Eight Dollars in money and I gave Lieut McCalleys wife ten 
Dollars in cash that her husband sent to her by me and I went to Robert 
McGregores and got my Shoes mended and I directed him concerning the 
process agt Col W"' Stark and he would take nothing for the mending 
my shoes and I charged him nothing for what I did for him 

4th ^idow jean Barnets two sons helped us at the little meadow and I 
went to the afternoon and we brot liome a load and Mr Caldwell sent 
Dina and their boys and helped to Rake a while the afternoon 

5"! we finished mowing Exceept what was among the bushes in the 
Governor lott and we brot home two jag 

6"* we finished Rakeing what we mowed we have 55 cocks beside a jag 
we brot home 

7*'^ my brors John went with then' Team and brot a load of hay from the 
httle meadow and we brot one ourselves and it Rained and we did not 
go a second time we had Mr Caldwells Cart 

9"^ my brors John brot a load of hay from the meadow and we brot two 
ourselves and I went and met the funeral of Daniel McKinney who Died 
last Saterday 

10"^ jamey brot home the last of the hay from the meadow We have 
had nineteen jag this year from the little meadow and I sent 4 bushel of 
Rie to Colonel Moors mill and he Ground two bushell of it and I had the 
Toal and we Cut some of the Stalks 

l^th i2'h 13th ^ i4tii ^ye ciit Stalks aud worked at the hay in the meadow 
at home 

16"! I set out to Exeter to attend the General Covirt and sit in it 4 days 
my attendance and travil come to 35/8 my Expences was 17, '413 I bot 
things to the amount of 17/7 | and I Reed my pay for my attending in 
the Comitee of Safty being 43/8 

21"' arrived home in the Evening from Exeter 

23'' I took the proof of Neal Taggarts will it was offered by Capt Robert 
Wallace and his Brother Thomas who are Excurs The Witnesses were 
James Wallace their brother and his son Robert Capt Wallace paid me 7/ 
for the Regtrs aud my fees and the afternoon I lay abed with a bad Cold 
and the ague in my flesh 

24'h lay abed all day with the same disorder I got a little sweat in the 
evening and I got some easyer 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 25th 1776 

25*'' I went to Amherst to the Probate Court my part of the fees with 
my part of the fees of the takeing the proof of Neal Taggarts Will the 23d 
came to 26 /4 the Register gave me 37/ my Expences was 2/ and I got I4 ^ 
gallon of Rum from Lieut Hildreth and 1/5 I owed him before came to 
3/4 which I paid him and I came home in the night 

26"* I assisted Col : Moor in paying the men he naustered at McGregores 
that was Raised in his Regiment for New York I got home about foiu- 
o Clock in the morning he paid my expences and I got a shilling for take- 
ing the acknowledgement of a Deed for Moses Wells 



364 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

37*'^ I swore Tlio^ Boies and Mrs Black iu a Dispute between Boies and 
Adam Dickey concerning the liaynient of two Dollars and I swore the 
apprizers of John Smiths Estate 

28"^ I vrcit a bond and a Wart of apprizement and filled a letter of 
Adminr for jane Barnett and Rob' Walker Adminrs on William Barnetts 
Estate they did not pay me any fees and I ^vrit a Deed from Tho"* Boies to 
John Lovejoy and took the acknowledgement for which Boies paid me 2/ 
and I compleated the Muster Roll for Col : Moor and I writ a letter for 
him to Col : Baldwin of who were appointed officers in the Company he 
mustered 

30"^ I drawed a list of the men Col : Moor mustered at his desire for 
Capt McConnel And I Reed 1-1-0 from Nath Clark being the Remainder 
of his note and the Intrest 

OCTOBER FIRST 

I went and cut up corn for George Orrs wife being one of the two days 
I promised to give him when he Enlisted and jamey got in a small load 
of corn 

2'i we husked the corn jamey got iu yesterday and we got in more corn 

3(1 ^ve got in more corn that we filled the barn floor 

4 & 5"^ we husked what corn we had iu we have 39 baskets in all we 
have got in and we got the corn up into the Garret 

7th T^Q gQt; in 5 iQj^fj Qf corn 

S^'^ we husked 21 full of oui- baskets 

9"^ in the forenoon I signed a Wart for Col : Goffe against Esqr Rand 
and the afternoon I was sent for to go to the Col : to deside the afi'air 
with Esqr Underwood who signed the Wart as well as me and I went and 
we worried with them untill in the Evening and contiuiied the case until 
next saterday at two of the Clock to meet at Col : Goffes again And we 
among us husked 28 fulls of our baskets 

10*^ was a Fast throughout the State on acct of our Deficualtys 

ll'h I swore the adminrs and Apprisers of William Barnetts Estate and 
they Returned the Inventory 

12"' in the afternoon I went to Col : Goffes to determin between him 
and Esqr Rand and Rand he proposed to go off and the Col Droped his 
Compt and Rand and I paid Rand 3/ and we changed Receipts 

13"' Mr Stearns preached in Bedford the fii-st time 

14th -^yg husked at the corn 

15"' Bob went off to the army and jamey went with him and I gave 
him five Dollars to bear his Expeuces and Shed set two shoes on my 
horses fore feet in the morning and iu the afternoon we got in some corn 

16"' we got in the last of our corn 

ITth we finished husking our corn we have according to our basket 137 
bushell in all our women folks all helped us husk from the time that Bob 
went away untill we finished they helped us husk a little above 40 bushell 
and I went and got some mending done to my Shoes at McGregores by 
Racket and he would not take anything for it and I had half a bowle of 
Tody and paid Six pence for it to Moly McNeill 



MATTHEW patten's DIAPvY. 365 

IS"' we all hands worked at Raisiug Potatoes we raised 61 ^o bushell 

19"* we butcliered one of the hogs we had in the pen a fatting was a 
very small one 

20"> Mr Stearns preached in Bedford 

21st -yyg got in the stalks pumpkins and beans and I got two pound of 
Tobaeca from Widow Jean Barnett to be settled in our acct 

23'i jamey came home from Going to No 4 with Bob and John Dobbyn 
came home from the army at Tycouderoga and brot a pound of Tea and 
Some shugar I suppose 2 or 3 £ for us and a large white silk handkerchief 
for Bettsay and a small silk handkerchief for sarah he Was sent by several 
of the officers home with money and some things 

23'! I went with 2 bushell of Indian corn and a bushell of Rie to Col : 
Moors and had it ground and I had the Toal 

24"* we diged potatoes since mouday morning we have diged 48}4 
bushell 

25"* we diged potatoes and at -Evening I \vTit a Deed from Col : Moor to 
one Tho^ Stevens at Andover of Miller Moors old place I would not take 
any pay for ^vriting the deed and Stevens paid me 1/ for takeing the ac- 
knowledgement 

26"* we finished diging potatoes we have 165 bushell in the wholl this 
year and I Drawed a bond of Guardianship for William Reed of Litchfield 
for Majr McQueston to be his Guardian and McQiieston paid me 6/ for it 
and for the Letter of guardianship which I am to make out for him 

27"* Mr Stearns preached in Bedford 

28"' I drawed Daniel McMillan of Newbostons will and some blanks for 
the Pi'obate 

29"* I drawed the letter of Guardianshii) for Majr McQuestion and the 
Deed from my bror to his son Sam'^ of two lotts in the 11th Rang 

30"* I went Amherst and held a Probate court the fees I took there 
came to 42/ my part was 14/ The Register was absent and his part was 
in my hands my Expences was 3/10 and I bot 4 £ of Red wood and as 
much Log wood and a pound of Alum and a pound of Copperas and 13 
needles at Means for which I paid 8/5 and I came in the night 

31^' Capt Rob' & Lieut Tho" Wallace came and the apprizers of Neal 
Taggarts Estate Returned the Inventory all of them were sworn in com- 
mon form Capt Wallace paid me 3/ as fees 

NOVEMBER 1st ^ 

I went to Col : Moors mill and took 2 bushell of corn and II4 bushell of 
Rie being the last of my old Rie but could not get it gi'ound and I left it 

2'' I took 2 bushell of new corn and went to Lt Littles mill being the 
first new corn I have taken to mill this year and got it gToimd 

3'! Mr Stearns preached in Bedford 

4"* I gave Jean Barnett a wart to have her thirds layed off paid no fees 
and I worked some at Drawing out Johns acct but was hindered by com- 
pany here and I writ a letter for Lt McCalleys wife to send to him at the 
army 



S66 MATTHEW patten's DIARY, 

5"^ I finished a letter to Col : Starke aucl I WTit a letter to Bob to go by 
Abraain Moor the Rest of the day I workt at Drawed out Johns accts 

6*^* I brot home the two bushell of corn and meal from Col : Moors Mill 
that I took there the 1st Instant the Rie that I took there then somebody 
had taken away bag and all bnt dont know who 

7"^ I cleaned six Bushell of Rie and put more through the corse Riddel 

8'h I sowed four bushell of Rie in the field above the Barn and David 
harrowed at it 

9"^ I sowed four Bushell of Rie and David harrowed at it and I finished 
a cleaning up the Remainder of the 18 stooks & 11 sheves there was 14% 
Bushell of it in all jamey thrashed it at my Brors Barn 

IQth Mr Burnap preached in Bedford for Mr Stearns 

ll"i I sowed four bushell and about a half of Rie Which sowed the field 
by the Barn I have sowed 12 bushell and about a half on it in all it threat- 
ens much for a Storm the wind at N : E : and the afternoon I went to 
Lieut Littles Mill ^^'ith 2 bushell of Indian corn and 2 of Rie and got it 
Ground 

12 & 13*'> I lay abed with the ague in my flesh much out of case 

14th J went to MacGregores on Capt Rob' and Lt Tho** Wallaces acct as 
Exers of the Estate of Neil Taggart conseruing John Taggarts detaining 
some of the Estate in his hands as they suspected but did nothing but 
Reason that Capt Wallace had got a hui-t and could not attend I Reed no 
pay for my time and I had a bowle of Tody for which I paid nine Pence 

1,5 & 16"^ I writ at letters to go to the army and John Dobins Will 

17th ]y[j. Stearns preached in Bedford 

18"^ I set off to accompany John Dobin on his way to the army and we 
went to Capt Hutchinsons and we lodged there 

19"' I came home and I bot 1^' a gallon of Molasses and an Almanack at 
Means for which I paid 2/9 Lawfull my Expences that I paid were 2/3 
and I let Dobin have 2 Dollars 

20'^ My Brors Ram came over yesterday & last night he killed a young 
Ram of mine dead and a Ewe was allmost dead that I stuck her and bled 
her and we killed one of the pigs we had from Morrial this Summer that 
weighed 73 £ 

2Pt WAS THANKSGIYEING THROUGH THIS STATE BY OR- 
DER OF THE GENERAL COURT 

22*1 I got a side of Sole leather from Steven French that he Tanned for 
William Newman I have to Settle with 

24th I niade a pair of heels for a pair of shoes for my wife and I gave Lt 
Tho** Wallace a Warrant for Commissions to Examin the Claims on the Es- 
tate of Neil Taggart and he did not pay the fees and I went to Col : John 
Stark and I settled with him for what cloatli John had from him being 
5_13_4 i^ lie had 7-5-0 of Johns wages in his hands and he paid me the 
balance being 1-11-7 \ and he gave nie 10 pence one farthing over and I 
lodged there that night a great snow storm 

25"' I came home after breakfast and I paid 6 pence for half a bowle of 
Tody to Moly MacNeal that I had there yesterday & and I paid John Miller 
39/ being all I owed him Exceept three pence 



MATTHE\Y PATTEN's DIARY. 367 

2(i'^ I went to Amlierst and atteuded the Probate and we did as nmcli 
business as oui- fees came to five pounds and what business that we did 
since the last probate that I attended came to 3 pounds and I had 14/ of it 
in my hands and I Reed 39/6 my Expences was 4/6 and I lodged at Mr 
Hildreths and I got 2 Skeans of twist at Meanses for which I paid two 
shillings and I paid Capt Hutchinson a shilling that jouas Cutting sent by 
me to pay him for a meal he had there as he was comeing from Tycon- 
deroga 

27"^ I came home and Mr Joseph Steel came home with me and I Drawed 
a Deed anew & I new drawed his will and I charged him 9/ and he paid 
me 9/() and I could not give him the six pence for want of change and I 
got a shilling from William Perham for an Indenture of jonas Cuttings 
Dauiell and another shilling from jonas but intend to Return jonas his 
again 

28*^ I went to McGaws and I had a jill of Brandy for which I paid six 
pence and I got two skeans of twist from Joseph Thomas to work the but- 
tonholes of my Cloaths and I did not pay him for them and I sent a Dollar 
by John Dobbin to Rob* McClure to pay my part of what is proposed to be 
Raised to buy Twine for Nutts Seine 

MARCH FIRST 

I sent 14/8 with Mr Nathan Shed to Boston to buy 4 £ of Cotton and I 
Reed 7/2 from Samuell Houston that he owed our John and Mr John Bar- 
ber finished makeing me a suit of Cloathes of the Cloath that John bot of 
Col : Starke and I paid Mr Barber 10/ toward the makeing of them 

3'i I went to Londonderry and I lodged at Rob* Macmui-phys 

4"* Rob' Macmurphy gave me almost a barrel of Viniger and they filled 
it up with Cydar I took the horse and sley and barrel with me yesterday 
and I got cold and layd by severall days I had half a bowle of tody at John 
Duncans for which I paid /o>^ 

jth Qth 7th & gtii I i.^y ])j Qii tiie 7th I gave Esqr Blodget a Commission to 
Capt Little and Richards to Examin the Claims on Capt Perkins Estate 
he paid no fees Mr Barber came here to work last Tuesday 

10*'^ I drawed two accts for jonas Cutting and certified the Capti(ins on 
them and I writ a power of attorney for him to Zechariah Chandler and I 
took the acknowledgement of it and charged him nothing for it and jams 
Martain paid me 2 Dollars that he owed my John 

11"' jamey Orr made a Shoe for my horses oflf fore foot of my Iron and 
set it 

12"> I set out for Exeter and Bob with me and we lodged at Robert Mac- 
murphys 

13*h we arrived at Exeter in the afternoon and Bob Returned to Mr 
Towles and he lodged there and he paid what Expences we had a going 
down and his charge this night came to five shillings And I attended in the 
Council iintill the 12th of Aprill inclusive being 31 days mj' Wages came 
to 9-17-8 My Expences were 3-6-4 I arrived home the 13th Col : Goffe brot 
my Saddle baggs and things from Extiter to his house 

14"' I went to Mr Janu-s Oaldwells to try to agree liim and his son 
William 



368 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

15*'^ & 16"* I did some nieuding for Suseys Loom & I took a Proclama- 
tion for the Fast to be held the 34th Instaut aud the Resolve of Court for 
a new Invoice to Majr Goffe one of the Selectmen 

18"* I took 3 bushell of Indian Corn to Col Moors Mill aiid got it Ground 
& I had the Toal and I went to Lt Taylors to get Malt but got none 

19"* I ^^Tit a Deed from Zechairah Chandler of 3 lotts in Bedford to John 
Fersou of Goffestown and I took the acknowledgement for which Ferson 
paid me a shilling and Chandler paid me 1 / for the deed aud 1/ for a Deed 
I writ from him to John Aiken 

21^' I took 3 bushell of Rie and 3 bushell of corn to Col : Moors mill at 
twice and I got 3 of it ground and I got the 3 bushell that I took there a 
Saturday last that I got 3 bushell of Rie meal and 3 of Indian home today 
aud I left 3 bushell there l^o of each sort 

22'! I took 1>2 bushell of Rie and 1^4 bushell of Corn to Col : Moors mill 
and I got the 3 bushell I left there yesterday 

23*^ I got the 1^ bushell of each sort that I left there yesterday and 
11^ bushell of Rie and l^o of Indian and I left IK bushell of each sort 
there over the Fast I went twice to mill today 

24th T^AS A FAST THROUGH THE STATE BY ORDER OF THE 
GENERAL COURT 

25 & 26"* I went mill each day and got 3 bushell of Rie 3 bushell of 
corn from Col : Moors mill and I left 3 bushell of corn there 

28"* I went to Wallaces Sawmill aud got 3 feet long off an Oak plank of 
widow jane Barnetts boys to make two braces for Suseys loom 

29"* I finished makeing the braces and Capt Elisha Woodbury came and 
I settled with him for what he paid for John being 27-12-0 and I paid him 
of all to nine £ 

30"' I attended the Probate court at Amherst and my fees today and the 
last probate day came to 3-15-0 out of which I had Reed 7/ and 6/ I have 
to Receive from Widow Austin for a license to sell land and I Reed 64/1 
paid Esqr Blauchards expences and my own at Smiths was 6/3 and my 
Expeuces at Hildreths was 4/3 and 3/ he says I owed him since Febr Pro- 
bate Which I paid 

MAY FIRST 

was a violent snow storm from the N : E : I came home in the afternoon 

3^ I went to the Cedar swamp in Goffestown aud got some Bolts that 
Tho* Karr had split out to Inake some pails and I cut a Net pole aud brot 
it to W"* Karrs and left it there aud I had a bowle of Tody at McGre- 
gores for which I paid 1 /6 

3*1* I shaved a qiiantity of pail and a little tub Staves and iu the after- 
noon I went to a town meeting 

6"* I gave Widow Austin her letter of Adminr and a license to sell her 
husbands Estate for said license she paid me a dollar and she paid me 
half a dollar that her Husband owed my John for a worsted cap 

7"* I went to Mr Caldwells to try to bring him & his son William to an 
agreement but could not I spent half the day or more on it but could not 

8"* I spent the whole of the day iu drawing a Report to lay before the 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIAKY. 369 

town at the adjoiimmeut of their meeting concerning a bounty to the sol- 
diers and Joseph Farmer came and speded a Sow for iis for which I pd him 
half a Dollar 

9"' I worked at stuff for pails 

10''' I went in the afternoon to Samuel Moor and I Run the line between 
him and John Wallace and across the East end of his northerly lott I 
t^harged him 8/ unpaid 

12"' Nathan Shed made 3 new shoes of his iron and Set them and set 
one of them that was on before and I paid John Dobbin six Dollars that he 
gave me last fauU to send to Ensn Andrews and I never had an oppor- 
tunity to send it and I set up a pail and hooped it 

V3^^ I finished the pail and in the afternoon I went to Esquire Macgre- 
gores to try a case between Plumer Wheelar of Dunbartou Compt and Pel- 
tiah Clements of Bow Respondant the prosses Quashed for the Respt 
name was spelled Pelitiah The Compt father paid me 7/6 for my trouble 
and the Respt paid me 2/1 for a summons he got for 3 Evidences and I had 
a bowle of tody at MeGregores for which I paid 1/2 

14"' I went to Widow Littles and writ a lease from james Cairns to 
Amaziah Pollard of his part of his uncles place and a lease from the 
Widow to Pollard of her thirds I charged 8/ but no settlement was made 
how to pay it I must charge Pollard as he spoke to me to do the Service 

15"' I went to Tho^ Shirleys and I got what his wife guesed to be a 
peck of flax seed it was very dirty for which I paid her 2/ and I got 7 
quarts from John McKinney for which I paid him 1/8 

16"' was a considerable Rain and I cleaned the flax seed I got yesterday 

17"' I made part of little tubb 

19"' I sowed all the flax seed I got the loth but about 4 quarts there was 
near 12 Quarts sowed and I finished the little tub I began the 17th 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MAY 19th 1777 

20"' I went at William Howards desire and Run lines for Oliver Roby 
and was to have done a small bit of surveying for Howard but he did not 
attend I charged l^g dollar and Roby paid me a Dollar of it I was busey 
the whole time in Robys bxisiness so that he ought to pay the whole 

21^' I went to Hugh Greggs in Newboston & I writ his Will and two 
deeds to two of his sons (viz) John and Sam'' 

22'' I took the acknowledgements of the two Deeds I writ yesterday and 
I came to Widow Cochrance and I got two pound of Flax from Nathaniel 
Clark and it is to answer toward my pains and trouble about a lott of 
land is about getting of Col: Atkinsons and the boys finished planting 
corn they had Capt McLaughlins John and james and Joseph helping us 
yesterday to plant it has been a very cold day the wind high at N: W: 

23'' I got 3 bushell of potatoes from John Thomas to plant and he would 
not take any pay for them and I sent Alex'' to Mr Caldwells and he got 3 
bushell of potatoes the price I dont know 

24"i I went to fish at the Seine and the partners would not bring me 
over and 1 had to come home again and I went to the falls in the afternoon 
and I got a Salmon that weighed 13 £ at our setting place 
24 



370 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

26"^ I butchered a Sow we liad been fatting and I went to the falls and 
I got nineteen shad and I gave one of them for a mug of cydar and I lodged 
at Esqr MacGregores 

27"^ I catched a Salmon that weighed 19 £ and 2 shad and I granted 
Adminr on John Todds Estate to his widow and I got a shad nett from 
her at a Dollar in the pay and I Reed the Inventory of Stephen Calls Es- 
tate and swore the Admr the apprizer was Swore before a justice she paid 
me 3/ and I went with Esqr MacGregore to Ezekiel Stevens and took the 
acknowledgement of a Deed for McGregore & Bob got 30 shad at the 
Scene 

28'*^ I went to Amherst to the Probate Court we did as much business 
with what each of us did since last probate day as my part of the fees 
came to 30/ 16/ of it I had Reed before Exceept 6/ which was in widow 
Littles hand not paid and 14/1 Reed in cash and I lodged at Hildreths my 
Expences was 5/3 I bot 7 £ of shugar and 2 £ of Coffle at Meanses for 
which I paid 12/6 and I bot a £ of Coffie for W" Karrs vnfe for which I 
paid 3/ she sent the money 

29*'^ I came home 

I fished untill the 4th of June Inclusive but what Quantity I got I cant 
Remember 

JUNE 5"^ I sett out for Exeter and arrived there that night and tarryed 
there at the Court untill the 28th inclusive my wages came to 7-15-8 my 
Expences was 3-0-9 I bot as much as came to 17/3 and I paid 2/ for James 
Moor of Goffestown to Deacon Brooks for his Searching for and Examin- 
ing 2 Deeds of his they were Delivered in In October 1765 

29"* I arived home and John O Neil brot my things home 

30"* the company was warned to meet on the news that Tyconderoga 
was besieged and the communication cut off they met in the afternoon 
when 8 promised to go 

JULY FIRST 

There was 6 marched off from Col: Moors (viz) Majr Goffe Capt Mac- 
Laughlin Ensu Patterson my brors John & my Bob & John Barnett and 
W" McCleary was Expected to go I went to the Cols and see them march 
off and the afternoon I went to the Falls to take care of my netts I left 2 
poles one of them had a new bow on it and the other without in W" 
Karrs Barn and I brot home 3 netts and 2 poles and bows and I had ^s a 
bowle of tody at MacGregores for which I paid a Shilling 

2'^' I settled with widow jean Barnett for all Accounts between her and 
me and for what my John layed out for her husband in the army and she 
paid me the ballance being thirty-six shillings 

3<^ I went to Amherst and attended the Sessions and we adjourned un- 
till the last Wednesday of August next at 3 o Clock in the afternoon & I 
came home in the afternoon my Expences was 2/6 I paid 1/6 of it and I 
owe a shilling of it yet to Hildreth and Capt Lovejoy gave me and Cols: 
Goffe and Nichols our Diner and Tody and would not take any pay for it 

4tii I -went to Col: Moors and got liberty from him to get Plank at Mac- 
Allesters mill of his for fellows for a pair of Cart Wheels 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIARY. 371 

5*"^ 1 went and got a plauk of 37 feet that made the 12 fellows and I 
rounded 3 of them out 

6"^ Sabathday the town met at the meeting house about Raising men to 
go to Ticonderoga but got none to go 

7U1 I -went and brot the fellows for my Cart home and I signed a Wart 
for Samii Kennedy agt Captain Richards for a breach of the peace 

S"' I brot home the hubb for my Wheels and I went to MacGregores and 
I had lo a bowle of Tody and I could pay for they could change the bill I 
had 

9''^ I drawed an acct for widow Margaret Bell against Doctr Toothacker 
Deed and swore her to it I charged her a shilling she did not pay it and I 
■svrit a deed from Zecli Chandler to Ensign Chubbock unpaid 

10"^ I began to fitt the hubb for my wheels & I took 3 bushell of Rie to 
Littles mill and had it ground 

11"^ I workt the forenoon at the hubs and the afternoon I went to Esqr 
Macgregores to Determin the Case between Sani^^ Kennedy and Capt Rich- 
ards and the case blowed up the Conipt was to be on the 3 and the evi- 
dences swore it was on the 4th the parties agreed to leave it to men and 
they chose them and Sam" Kennedy gave me 11/ for my trouble and I 
gave Moly MacNeil }o a Dollar to give to W'" Karrs wife the change of a 
dollar she sent with me in May to Amherst for a pound of Coffie and I car- 
ried 2 bushell of corn to Littles mill and had it ground 

12'*^ I writ a Deed from Capt Karr to Majr Goffe of a lott in Goffestown 
(viz) no one in the 6th Rang on the south side of Piscataquog River and I 
took the acknowledgement for which they paid me two Shillings 

13"^ I Reed a line from Col: Moore by desire of Col: Nichols at 9 o Clock 
at Night to go to Exeter tomorrow morning on acct of the Evaciiation of 
Ticonderoga 

14"^ I set for Exeter with Col: Goffe and arived there about six o Clock 
in the evening & tarried untill the 17th on which day the Court met and 
we adjourned the 19th I Reed no wages my Expences was 27/6 I bot 15)3 £ 
of tobacca for which I paid 20/ and a pound of Indigo for which I paid 
20/ and a Shilling worth of wire 

20"^ I arived home I brot up for Col: Moor 802 £ to pay advance wages 
to Soldiers to be Raised instantly 

21**' Shed welded one of my cart hoops 

23'' I went to Capt MacGaws in Newboston and mustered 52 men for 
Col: Moor they were of Lindborough Newboston Francistown Deering 
and Antrim my Expences was 1/6 at McGaws and I w^ent to Hugh Greggs 
and lodged there 

24"^ I came to Esqr MacGregores to assist Col Moor to muster men I got 
home 3.< past 1 o Clock in the morning I workt some at my Cart wheels 
till the 30th 

30'*! I attended the Probate com-t at Amherst with what the Regr and I 
did at home and the last Probate day the Regr acted without me my part 
of the fees came to 39/2 I Reed 39/4 I paid the Regr Expences at Smiths 
being 1 /6 my wholl Expences with 'v, a bowle of tody I owed Hildreth 
since the last time I was in Amherst was 5/4 I got home about 11 o Clock 
at night 



372 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

3P' I gave Beuj° Eastman a commissiou to have the claims to his 
Father Capt Eastmans Estate Examined and I writ an advertisement for 
to pubhsli the same in the newspapers I charged 4/ and he did not pay 
for want of change 

AUGUST 1st 2d & 4th 

I worked at my wheels on the 4th I signed a "Wart to Capt Chamberlin 
agt Joseph Henry 

5th I -^yrit two Deeds one from Eben' Coston to David Rowel and one 
from Rowel to Coston and I took the acknowledgement for which I 
charged 4/ Rowel is to pay me it was a Rainey day and we shelled six 
bushell of Corn & I signed a Wart to jos Henry against Capt Chamberlin 

6''^ Jacob MacGaw came with Capt Chamberlin & Joseph Henry prison- 
ers the partys agreed to leave their differance to Doctr Parker Majr Mc- 
Queston and Lient Hildreth I called one of the case and made out the Rule 
Henrys father paid me a Dollar bill and Chamberlin paid me 5/6 I gave 
them the original papers to be Returned in Sixty days 

7"^ was a Fast throughout the State by order of the General Court 

8 & 9*'^ I workt at the cart wheels 

II & 12"^ I workt at the wheels and an axle tree and finished them 
Exceept puting on the Tyre 

13"^ Shed made me 26 cart nails and fitted one of the Strecks of the Tyre 
and I put the Tyre on the wheels 

14''^ 1 finished my cart and the children finished Reaping the field by 
my Brors there was 2 stooks and 8 Sheaves on it and the boys carted into 
my brors old barn & we began to Reap in the field at home by the Barn 
and we reaped two stooks 

15"' we Reaped the forenoon and a Uttle in the afternoon and it Came 
on a Remarkable great Thunder Shower we Reaped 9 stooks and looks 
much like a settled storm 

16"^ was a fine drying Day and Capt McLaughlins John helped us Reap 
we Reaped 15 stooks and we dryed a jag of hay in the meadow and got it 
in and we got in 13 Stooks of rie 

19 20 & 21*' we Reaped and finished on the 19th my brors Ann helped 
us in the afternoon We have 69 Stooks and 4 Sheaves in the field by the 
Barn we have 97 Stooks in all this year and Bob and David went to the 
little meadow in the afternoon of the 21st and began to mow and I granted 
Admr to Hannah Hale on her late Husbands Joshua Hales Estate for 
which she paid me 7/ 

22'' I brot home a jag of hay out of the Governor lott except 2 cocks 

23*1 I i;)i.ot a jag out of the Governor lott which was the wholl of it 
except what growed among the bushes 

26"^ Shed set 4 shoes on my horse one wholl shoe he found he put a 
peice on the toe of 2 of mine and one on the one that he found 

37th J went to Amherst and attended the Probate Court we did as much 
business as the fees came to 55/ and 7/ I had for the admr on joshua Hales 
Estate amounted to 61/ since the last Probate day the Register gave me 
20/ 9 my Expences was 4/3 and I paid it except 4 pence to Hildreth that 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 373 

we could uot make change and I came iu in the night I got home about 
1 1 o Clock and we workt at haying in the Little meadow to the last of 
the month 

SEPTEMBER 

We continued to hay at the little meadow to the 9th which day I brot 
the last of the hay home I went 18 times to the meadow with the Team 
and the Boys got the Last of the hay in the meadow at home meadow 
into cock on the 8th Alex'^ in loading a load of hay sliped and fell back- 
ward and one of the Stakes Run into the back side of his left thigh and 
made a Great hole and laid him by from work and jean got her leg much 
hurt by the Cart body falling down on her by an accident and has been 
unable to go on that leg since 

10"^ I went to Esqr MacGregores and tryed a case between John Stinson 
Junr and John Holms both of Duubarton for a breech of the peace 
I adjudged him Guilty and he appealed and he paid 2/ for the appeal and 
2/ toward the coppy of the Case and Stinson paid me 6/ for my going to 
MacGregores and trying the case and I -vvrit a power of attorney for 
Timothy Hutchinson and took the acknowledgement for which he paid 
me 3/ and Jonathan Wood paid mo 5/6 for apprizemeut and swearing one 
of the apprizers some years past and I got Y^ a pint of Rum from 
MacGregor for to bath the childrens hurts for which I paid him 2/6 

Utii 12"' & 13"^ I coppyed the case for John Holms and worked at the 
hay we carted the hay out of the meadow and spread it on the Stuble and 
we got it dryed the 13 th 

15"^ we stacked it in the morning and I -svrit a Deed from Col Moor to 
Doctr Cutler and some other writings for them I charged 3/ for they did 
not pay me and and the Col and I fitted at his muster and pay roll of the 
men that went oiit of his Regiment to the state of Vermont 

17"^ we bound and Shocked near 3 acres of Stalks and I set for Ports- 
mouth to attend the General Court I went by the way of Hemstead and 
Reed 5 Dollars from Joseph Dow that he owed our Rob' lodged at a widow 
Littles 

18"' I arived at Portsmouth at Exeter I paid into the Treasury of the 
money that I brot to Col Moor in July last 177-14-0 and I got 27£ of the 
long money for Divers changed in the Treasury I tarryed at Portsmouth 
untill the 27th which day the court was adjourned to the first Wednesday 
in November then to meet at Exeter my expences was 3-11-6 I bot a pair 
of Specticles for which I paid a Dollar in my going down I paid Major 
Pinkerton four Dollars that my John owed him I attended the General 
Court 1 1 days I Drawed no pay for it nor for the Short Session in July 
which are both due to me yet 

28''' I came home 

29"' I attended at a muster in Bedford and endeavored to animate the 
men to go to the army I paid 16/ to Patrick Larkin part of the 20/ he gave 
me for Tho« Boies to be changed and paid W" Newman 2-10-0 that he 
sent and paid Zech Chandler 3 £ that he sent 

30"' I went to Littles mill and got 2 bushell of corn ground and I paid 



374 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Moly MacNeal 5-15-0 that Esqr MacGregore sent and I pd David Moor 
5/ that he sent and I paid him 3 £ that his bror james sent to be changed 

OCTOBER FIRST 

set out for Exeter to inform the Comtee that the men in Divers among 
us were backward to go to the army lodged at Blunt 

2'' I arrived at Exeter before dinner See Capt Lads privateer launched 

3'i I got 4-10-0 changed in the Treasury 2-17-0 of it was patrick 
Murphys Estate >2 a Dollar my own and 30/ was John Wards and I got 
the muster and pay Rolls of the men that went out of Col: Moors Regt in 
July last settled one Roll was of 86 men the other of 52 the whole expence 
was 8-1-0 the whole pay came to me Except 2-8-0 I Reed an order on the 
Treasr for 4-15-0 with 3-6-0 that was in my hands and what I Returned 
into the Treasry the 18 of Septr amounted to the whole I Reed out of the 
Treasury in July last for Col : Moor being 802 £ and I came home near the 
middle of the night my Expences was 13/ I bot a side of Sole leather from 
Elijiht Hale of 17 £ weigh and paid him S^o Dollars for it and am to pay 
him more if hides are more than six pence a pound 

4"^ I paid Capt Woodbury 10 Dollars of what John owed him and I paid 
Col : Moors wife the 30/ he sent with me to be changed and 8 Dollars his 
part of Muster and paying the men that went out of his Regiment in July 
and I went to Littles mill and took 1 ^o bushell of corn being tlie last old 
corn we have and 1}^ bushell of Rie I got the Rie ground and left the corn 

gth J drawed an acct for Joseph Wallace and Swore him to it against 
Doctr Toothaker unpaid and we began to get in the first of our Indian 
corn And we followed it on to the 20th day which day we finished husking 
we have 86 bushell this year in the time we split the hills Ready to sow 
the Rie on The 17th I writ a Deed from W" Walton to John Griffin & 
took the acknowledgement and notes for which they paid me 3/ the same 
day I went to Littles mill and got 3 bushell of New Indian Ground being 
the first this faul 

22^1 I went at the desire of Lieut George Marsdin and Measured off 20 
Acres of the south side of the farm that was Aui'ther Nesmiths to james 
Boyes for which Marsdin paid me two dollars and we got 38^^ £ of Beaf 
from Stephen Frencli 

23^1 I paid Stephen French for the 38)^ £ of Beaf we got from him yes- 
terday being 25/6 and I writ two Deeds from Rob* McCalley to John 
Manahan and I took the acknowledgements for which they paid me 
a Dollar 

24"' I divided the 50 Acre lott that Stephen French bot of my Bror 
between him and Messrs Martin and Gordon 

25"' I took l^o bushell of Rie and as much Indian to Littles mill and 
got it gi'ound and the boys sowed and Harrowed in rie on the corn land 

26"' I sent 7/ by my james to Zech Chandlers to give the Post for the 
News the 3 months I propose to take them 

27"' I sheled some corn it looked like a storm 

28"' was a very Violent storm of Rain the wind at Northeast and near 
night it hailed so much that it covered the Ground 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 375 

29*'^ I went to Aiulierst to tlie Probate court the Register was absent it 
continued Cloudy and the wind at Northeast there was but of few people 
come I took but 10/10 of fees my Expences was 3/6 and I came home in 
the Evening I took but 10/10 of fees my Expences was 3/6 

The night following the 31"' was a Great Frost 

NOVEMBER 

3<i I took the proof of Deacon Boies Will and the Execr Thomas Boies 
did not pay the fees and I took the proof of Deacon Walkers Will the 
Widow paid me 9/10 and I went to John Craigs to bring home oiu- cow 
he had a pastiu-eiug and I stayed there all night 

4"^ I brot the cow home and in the Evening I paid John Craig at our 
house for pastureiug her she was there 6 weeks and he gave me one weeks 
pastureing and I paid him 15/ for the other 5 weeks 

5*1^ Lieut Moor butchered om- old Taz she had 286 £ of Beaf and 46 £ of 
hide I took the hide to Stephen French my brors jos helped us dig potatoes 
in the afternoon from this to the fifteenth we were fitting iip things for 
winter in building a hovel Banking the house &c on the 17th I made our 
Cyder at my Brors Mill we had 3 barrels of good and allmost a barrel of 
water cyder 

17"' I set off for Exeter to attend the General Court and arived there 
about sun set Esqr MacGregore found me a horse that 1 might give 
Evidence in his case with Doctor Hodges I tarried at the Court untill the 
29th which day it was Disolved and the 30th I arrived home I had pay for 
13 days now I drawed my pay for the Short session in July and the 
Session in September at Portsmouth the whole amounted to 18-2-14 and 
I got 4-9-0 for two journeys to Exeter the one in July and the other in 
October I bot 3 £ of Snuff and two pair of yarn stockings and 2 pair of 
Sleeve buttons for which I paid 3-17-6 my Expences was 3 £ and six 
pence while I was at Court our folks Butchered our old Belld Cow she 
weighed 332 £ of Beaf and 56 £ of hide and 20 £ of tried tallow and they 
hutched two hogs that weighed 360 £ and they borrowed '849 feet of 
Boards from John Wallace 

DECEMBER 

1"' I paid John Craig the 5 dollars he sent with me to get changed and 
I paid John Gillmor of Merrymac the 5 dollars he sent and I paid John 
Aiken 3 dollars of the 4^^ he sent and I paid John O Neil and Zechariah 
Chandler the d}4 dollars that was in my hands of Patrick Murfeys Estate 
and I attended the meeting of Merrymac and Bedford to cliuse a Repre- 
sentative for the towns when my bror was chosen nothing material untill 
the 8th 

4'h WAS THE THANKSGIVEING THROUGH THE STATE BY 
ORDER OF THE COUNCIL AND ASSEMBLY 

gth J went to Goffestown and Run some lines for Timothy Kimball and 
in the Evening I did as much Probate business as I took 31 / for of fees it 
was for Joshua Hale and Capt Perkins Estate 

9"' I went and Run lines for Timothy Kimball and writ a Deed from 



376 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

liim to one johu Diistou for yesterday for yesterday aud todays service 
they paid me 36/ and got home about midnight and I paid our jamey 52/ 
being what my wife borrowed of him to buy a ticket &c 

10"^ I went aud Run lines for Hugh Thompson of Derryfield for whicli 
he paid me 18/ and I gave our David 36/ to buy Musqiiash skins he bot 13 
today a 2/ each 

llt'i I went to Zechariah Chandlers ^vl•it a lease from Capt Karr Capt 
Richards and Lieut Blake to John Goffe junr W" Newman Nath^ Baker 
and Lt Enoch Sa^vyer of a privilege on Piscataqviog River at Capt Rich- 
ards mill to build a Forge on I charged 12 £ of Iron and am to be paid by 
any of the owners of the Forge in this town whichever I can get the Iron 
from 

15"' I took Sole leather and Calf Sldu & thread to David Moor to make 
me a pair of pumps and Shed made two new Shoes for my horse fore feet 
& Nails to set all the four shoes of my Iron and David went to Col: Moors 
Mill with three bushell of Indian corn and got it Grown 

16"^ I paid Major Goffe as a selectman 7-16-0 toward my Note to the 
town that I gave to the town for 9-6-11 the 2d of October 1769 which with 
my acct I expect will clear the note and I granted Guardianship to Abra'" 
Moor of Mary Moor I charged 6/ unpaid and my Bror and set out in the 
Evening for Exeter and we went jos Bells aud lodged there 

17"^ arrived at Exeter and attended the General Court uutill January 3d 
1778 which day the court adjourned to the second Wednesday of February 
1778 I was paid for 18 days which came to 11-19-4 my expences was 5-7-2 
and I bot two pair of yarn Stockings for which I paid 22/ to old Mrs 
Leavit and I got one pak of them the other I have to get the next time I 
go down and a pound of alspice for which I paid 8/ aud I paid Mr Barker 
eleven Dollars for all the Cloth he has di-essed for me and Mary McMur- 
phy and 3}4 £ of Salt Petre 17/6 came to 5-16-6 and I left )t a Dollar in 
my Landladys hand that she could not Give me for want of change aud I 
got home the 4th 

5''^ I assisted the Selectmen to find the original Proprietors of Bedford 
and the lauds they owned 

6"' I settled my acct agt the town and my note to this town of 9-6-11 
dated the 2d of Octr 1769 and my acct with the money I paid the select- 
men the 16 th of last Decbr being 7-16-0 overpaid my note one shilling and 
three farthings 

7"' I Reed an Order on the Constable from the Selectmen from my Johns 
Rates in the year 1774 being 0-6-6-1 and for Bobs Poll in the town Rate 
for this year which was Voted free being 18/ and I settled my Rates with 
John Wallas for the year 1774 and paid him 9/4 with an order of 0-3-4-1 
answered my Rates to him aud I went to james Voses to hear what acct 
he brot me about Frank Riches Estate for W" Karr 

8'^'> I went to see W'" Karr to know what he would do about looking 
after his wifes Uncle Riches Estate and we agreed that I should go to Bos- 
ton and see what I could find out aud he to pay half of the journey and to 
find me 10 Dollars before I go and if I could get more than to pay me for 
mv trouble he to have the one-half and me the other let it amount never 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 377 

so ^uuch but if I Recovered but Enough to pay me tbeu he to have none 
aud if I Recovered nothing then he to loose the one-half of the journey 
and me the other and I had a mug of Cydar at McGregores for which I 
paid 8 pence 

9"^ I paid James Cairns 17/ in niouy toward my Rates aud gave him the 
order I got from the Selectmen day before yesterday of 1-4-6-1 both made 
3-1-6-1 and I paid james Little 19/ Shillings continental money for 20/ of 
Connecticut money he sent with me to Exeter to get changed for him 

lOtii I granted Admr to jona Fisk on his fathers Estate 7/6 paid and I 
assisted Capt Barns of Merrymac a finding the owners of laud to make 
their Rates he paid me 2/4 aud I "WTit a Deed from John Marsh to jamey 
Patterson Marsh paid me 2/ for the deed and 2/ 10 to take the acknowl- 
edgement of his Deed from Tho^ McCleary which I am to do aud I assisted 
Esqur Rand in taldng the owners of a large no of lotts in Bedford and I 
gi-auted Guardianship of George McCartney to W'" Rogers of Goffestown 
for which Rogers paid me 6/ 

12"^ I -writ a Deed from james Caldwell to his Grandson John Alld and 
took the acknowledgement for which Allds paid me 4/4 and I writ a Deed 
from james Patterson to one Tho" Townsend & I took the acknowledgement 
and note (fee for which Towusend paid me 6/ for my service 

13"^ I paid Hugh Campbell my Rates for the year 1775 being 1-1-10 and 
I got a Skean of Moth eaten Mohair of Robert Burns sister Betty for which 
I paid her 2/ and William Burns gave me two 40/ bills of Connecticut 
and a 20/ bill of Rhod Island money to get Exchanged with the Post the 
next time I go to Exeter 

16"^ Tho^ Karr forged me a bit for turning button moulds for coat but- 
tons and Will'" Hodgkins of New Ipswich Returned the Inventory of Es- 
tate of Abijah Foster I took no fees by Reason that that he had attended 
at the Probate court when the Register and I were both absent and I paid 
Major John Moors son Benj" 2-17-4 on a Note my bror and james Vose 
gave for him and his bror 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 16 1778 AND A PART 

OF SAID DAY 

Samuell Moor for 4-16-0 the 29th of October 1774 which was borrowed to 
pay the charge of the Lawsuit about School lotts 

igth "W'idow Rebecca Walker and Capt Aiken Returned the Inventory 
of Deacon Walkers Estate she paid me a Dollar for it aud three of the 
Comtee for laying off Widow jean Barnetts thirds Made Return of their 
Seting them off no fees paid 

20"' I drawed an Advertisement for james Cairns to put into the News 
paper concerning the Rates on the Non resident land in this town he 
promised to pay me when I paid my Rates I charged a Dollar 

21"' I carryed three bushell of Rie lacldng a little more than a quart to 
james Taylor and Delivered to him to Malt for me and I got 3 £ of Shugar 
from Rob' Burns for which I paid him 12/ and I paid him 11/ for a pound 
of Coffie that Susanna got there a while ago aud I paid John Aiken the 
1 }2 Dollar that was in my hand of the 4)^ he sent to be changed 



378 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

22'i & 23^1 I Drawee! a plau and ^Trit a Deed from William Patten to liis 
sou joliu 

24th I -writ a Deed from Doer Cutler to old Mr Chubbock aud took the 
acknowledgement of the Deed from james Patterson to Doer Cutler 

27111 I gi-auted adminstration on the Estate of Andrew Pettingill to his 
widow Abagal aud sent the bond by Esqiu- Jackman to be signed and Re- 
turned and I Reed the Claims on Capt Joseph Eastmans Estate and I took 
the proofs of W'" Godfreys Will 

28"^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst I took as much fees as 
come to 25/ all the Rest that I did was for people that had attended on 
other Probate days that the Regr and I were absent I tarryed all night my 
Expences was 13/6 and I gave Mr Joseph Holt of Wilton 4/4 for assisting 
me to write 

29''^ I came home and on my home I filled a Deed from Jacob McQuead 
to Mary Riddel and another from John Clark to George Orr and I took the 
acknowledgements I charged a Dollar and Jacob McQuead and Mary 
Riddel paid me 4/ of it 

30"^ I carried a bushel of Indian corn to Lieut Littles mill and went to 
Roche to try to get him to come and make my coat but could not get him 
and I lodged at Eben'^ Rackets 

3P' I came home and brot the meal of the corn I took to Littles mill 
yesterday and I had }4 a bowle of Tody at MacGregores as I came home 
for which I paid %. a dollar 

FEBRUARY 2d 

I paid Patrick Larldn 4/ being the Remainder of a 20/ Intrest bill he 
sent with me last Septr to get changed at the Treasury the other 16/ I paid 
him last Septr when I first came from Coui-t and I writ a Deed from Zach- 
ariah Chandler to Ensign Cliubbock junr of no 9 in the 6th Rang 

3*1 To going to Zechariah and taking the acknowledgement of the Deed 
I writ yesterday and of another Deed I writ for him to Ensn Chubbock 
junr last July for which two Deeds Zech paid me a Dollar and Chubbock 
is to pay me for the acknowledgements and Notes &c to be settled in our 
acct the charge is a Dollar and I granted guardianship to Tho^ Boies of 
Agnes Cochrane for which Boies paid me a Dollar 

4tii I -vvent to Mrs Atwoods and got her to our house and cut out my 
coat and slie tarried all night with us 

5*'^ I took her home and I took a bushell of corn with me and I went to 
Col : Moors and got it ground I went there at his desire to Swear some 
Evidences in an affair between him and Lieut james Smith before Ai-bi- 
trators the Affair was finished about 10 o Clock and then I came home 

6*1' I went to Col : Moors mill and I took 1% bushell of corn and so much 
Rie and I had it ground and I gave him 10 blank Militia commissions I had 
got and brot from Exeter for him 

7*^^ I drawed a petition for John Dunlap in favr of Sam'^ Remick to the 
General Court and an acct of the Expences for Remicks being wounded 
at Beuington in August last last night it feel a foot deep or better of snow 



MATTHEW patten's diahy. 379 

9''^ I went to Mr Atwoods for his wife to try ou my Surtoot ou and I 
pd her three Dollars for makeing it 

10"^ I weut aud got my coat from Mrs Atwood 

11''' it snowed in the morning and afterward it began to Rain and 
Rained all day and most part of the night I was to have set out for Exeter 
to attend the General Court but could not for the Storm 

12"' The wind very high at north it began to Snow in the morning and 
snowed all day and Drifted very much it abated at Evening 

13"' the still very high but at N: W: and Drifted a great deal very cold 

14"' The wind still very high and drifted a great deal and I went Sheds 
and paid james Orr 3/ being the Remainder of an order that Sani'i Patten 
my Brors son Drawed on our John of 15/ John had paid 12/ of it himself 
and the other 3/1 paid today 

16"^ Set out for Exeter and lodged at Towles 

17"^ arrived at Exeter and attended at the General Court untill the ad- 
journment which was the 14th of March I attended 26 days my Wages 
and travil amounted to 16-15-4 my Expences were 7-16-9 I Bot some 
things to the amount of 2-8-0 I paid my Landlady at Exeter only two Dol- 
lars, my wholl charge to her was 6-10-6 and the Rest I owe her yet I did 
not get my wages for want of Money in the Treasury 

15"' I arrived home at Evening 

17"' I Reed 12 £ of Iron from William Newman and Nath" Baker for 
Writing the articles of agi'cement among them and John Goffe junr and 
Lieut Sa^vyer about a forge to be built in Goffestown at Richards mill and 
3 £ of Iron more than I am to pay for 

18"' we hauled two large pine logs to Wallas Mill and got all the loggs 
we had there onto the ways 

19"^ we hauled one logg to the mill and two short ones as far as Chub- 
bocks field for plank for our barn floor and we cleaned up eight bushell of 
Rie 

20"' I took a bushell and about 4 quarts of Rie to Lieut Taylors which 
with what I took there the 21st of janry made 4 and about 8 or 4 quarts 
and I got that Quantity of Malt from him for it and came home 

21"*' was a very high wind at N: W: and very cold and in the afternoon 
I went to Zechariah Chandlers and held a Court between Major Goffe 
Compt and Michel Dalton the Major made Oath that he was afraid he 
would do or procure some mischief to be done to him and I bound him to 
his good behaviour 

23'' We cleaned up lofa bushells of Rie and I paid Derryfield and this 
town men and for their horses that went as far as Keen last summer at 
the Evacuation of Ticonderoga I paid them at Chandlers it was late before 
I got home 

24"' I got Shed to weld a broken place in one of the hoops of oiu- Great 
Kittle and Rivit two straps on it which were Ready Made and I cleaned 
better than a bushell of Rie being the last we had to clean of last years 
crop we have now about 37 bushell by us 

25th I went to Amherst to the Probate Court and I tarried over night at 
Mr Smiths 



380 MATTHEW patten's DIAUY. 

26"^ the Register aud I settled for all the Business each of us had done 
since we were together which was last August probate my part of the fees 
since that time came to 6-7-6 and what he took and this probate made his 
2/3 of the whole my Expences were 15/1 came home in the afternoon 

37tii X went out to jamey and Bobs beyond the near meadow where they 
are makeing Shugar and brot home I suppos about 3 £ which was all they 
had made and I gave Banj" Temple of Amherst a Wart to set off his 
Mothers 3ds for which he paid me a Dollar 

28*'' the boys came home in the evening and brot home a Shugar box 
full of Shugar with them that would hold 7 £ 

30"! & 31^' I workt at makeing pails 

APRIL FIRST 

I finished the 3d pail these 3 days this week and the boys went off a 
Shugaring viz jamey and Bob aud I bot a pair of Wool cards on Trust from 
Capt W'" Barron of Merrymac for six Dollars 

S'^ I went up to the boys where they was Shugaring but it was dull 
weather 

4"' I came home in the afternoon and I went to William Caldwells and 
Swore six E^'idences for him in his case against John Wallace juiu- aud 
tarryed all night 

6*'i I split pine wood 

7tii I -went to tbe boys at their Shugaring 

S'h we got some More than 7 pails of Sap it made near 4 £ of Shugar 

9"' we came home 

10*11 J -vyent to Col Moors mill with 1 ^.i bushell of Indian corn and as 
much Rie & got it Ground & I gave Tho'* Wilson a Summons for witnesses 
and the boys got 33 jiails of Sap today out of our own trees and 16 out of 
the other eompanys trees 

11"' I cut and Split some pine wood aud I gave David Starat a Wart to 
the Selectmen of DeiTyfield to give their Oppinion of Elizth Massey the 
fees unpaid 

13*'^ I went out to Shugar of some Sap the boys had boiled the Uth 

14th I gQ^ it; an(j 1 1^ pail of sap boiled into Molasses but could not make 
it into Shugar 

15"^ I attended Deacon Gilmors funeral and in the afternoon I assisted 
Col Goffe and one Moses Merril and took off a plan for Merril and took 
the acknowledgement of a Deed for him for which Merril paid me a Dolar 

16«' WAS A STATE FAST 

17th I -^yrit a deed from John Clark to Mary Riddel aud a Bond from 
Mary to him for his Maintenance and I went in the Evening to Zechariah 
Chandlers and took the acknowledgement of a Deed from Zech to John 
Biu-ns which deed I WTit last Monday for which they paid me )^ a Dollar 
each 

18"' I granted administration on the Estate of Eza Mirick to his ^\^dow 
Sarah and on the Estate of Colens Eaton to his widow Mary for which 
each of them paid me 18/ 

20"' I Run the lines of the lott james Houston bot from Col: Rob' Moor 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 381 

in the lltli Rang I charged him 3 Eel hooks for his part and John Mc- 
Laughhn is to pay the other part as he joyned on both sides and in the 
afternoon I went to Mary Riddels I took the acknowledgement of a Deed 
from her nncle John Clark to her I liad "vvrit the Deed and a bond from her 
to him before she gave me two Dollars for my trouble 

21^' I was not able to stir to do anything my toe was so bad 

22^ WAS THE CONTINENTAL FAST BY ORDER OF THE CON- 
GRESS 

23<i I went to Tho^ Boies^ and got a Cock Tirrky he weighed 15^ £ from 
his wife I dont know the terms whether to Return A living one of the 
same weight or in money 

24th I -vvent to Col Moors mill and took 1% bushell of corn and as much 
Rie and got it Ground he took no Toal 

25"^ I got a new plow shear and Colter from Will"^ Newman of 19)^ £ 
weight at 51/ per £ it came to 4-16-3 I paid him 1-6-6 I owe him 3-9-9 of 
the price yet I had fo ^ piut of Rum from him for which I paid him 3/6 

27"^ I went out to where the boys was makeing Shugar and I made a 
kar and brot home the big Kittle and the little one the Tub and pail and 
I cut a White ash for Eel poles and brot for three poles and I had my 
ancle cut with an ax after night 

28"^ I shaved the three Eel poles I got yesterday 

29''^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst we took as much fees as 
came to 8-2-0 since last Probate day I had Reed 2-2-0 for what I did at 
home and I got 13/ more my Expences was 9/9 and I gave Mr King 
schoolmaster 12/ to pay for Tax in Lindborough for Col Atkinsons at 
Georges Kings desire 

30**^ I mth Esqr jono Blanchard and my Bror Sam'' by an order of the 
Inferiour Court met at Chandlers on a Case between Alex McNeal of 
Jaffrey and his bror in law Tho" Wilson of Newboston we adjourned till 
the 2d of May next I gave McNeal a Summons for 4 witnesses 

MAY FIRST 

I Repaired my Compass and I w^rit a pau- of Indentiu-es of jese Cutting 
to Banjamin Baker I charged 8/ Baker pd me 4/ of it and I split some 
pine wood 

2'^ my bror and I met at Chandlers on McNeals and Wilsons afair we 
agreed in judgment we charged them 15/ per day and they paid us the 
money and to pay for Esqr Blanchards day 

5th I Went to Col Moors mill with 13.< bushell of Indian Corn and as 
mucli Rie and got it Ground 

6"' I went to where the boys had been Shugariug and I brot home the 
Remainder of the things 

7"' I went to Zechariah Chandlers at the desire of one Moseys Merrill 
and writ a Deed from Col Goffe to him of the Colonels Location and took 
the acknowledgement for which Merril paid me 1% Dollar and in the after- 
noon I went to Chandlers again with the Bondsmen of the Admr of the 
Estates of John Smith of Goifestown and the giiardians of the children and 



382 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Mr Sam" Reukin and assisted them about Settling uutill past midnight 
they paid me two Dollars for my service 

8"^ was a considerable Rain and shelled some corn 

gth I went and Run lines for Esqr Rand and Capt William Baron for 
which I charged two bnshell of Corn or the price of it and I writ a Deed 
from Capt Barron to Barnet Cain & took the acknowledgement for which 
I charged a Dollar to be paid between them 

1 1'*^ we sawed some stuff for a washing Tub and Split a little pine wood 
and the boys began to plant Potatoes & we finished plowing 

12'-'* the boys planted potatoes and in the afternoon the began to fur- 
row and I went to Chandlers in the afternoon to assist james Cairns about 
Vendueing the land for Tax but it was put off till the 19th Instant and I 
settled with Capt William Barron for the wool Cards I had from him the 
1st of Aprill last and I paid him 3 Dollars in money and what I did for 
him the 9th paid him the six Dollars the price of the Cards and I bot a 
Razor at MacGregores for which I paid 8 / 

14tii I got a side of sole leather from Capt James Aiken of U^^ £ weight 
at a Dollar a pound I paid him two Dollars of the price of it and I owe 
him 9% of a Dollar of it and I got two Tea cups full of Turnip seed from 
old Mrs Terril for which I paid her husband 3/ L: M: 

15*'* I took the stuff for a pair of shoes for my wife to Samuell Patter- 
sons for him to make and I ^v^it a Deed from Lieut Little of his place and 
Mills to Samuell Moor and a Lease of it back to Little my charge was 
three Dollars & the come here & staid till midnight and did not finish 
they wanted more writings 

16"* I did the Rest of the WTiting for Little and Moor and I charged 
them two Dollars more and the paid me the money and I sowed allmost 
1^ a bushell of Flaxseed about the Garden and we finished furrowing and 
chained part of it and the boys put the sideboards on the Cannoe 

17"* Mr Cotton preached in Bedford 

18*'* I went to Col Moors Mill and took with me li^' bushell of corn and 
as much Rie and had it Grownd and I got a pound of Coffie of Rob* Burns 
for which I paid 10/ And in the afternoon I held a court between W"* 
Wallace of Merrymac and josiah Chamberlins for Chamberlius not 
Training the 27th of last April I gave judgement in Chamberlins fa\T 
for that he had not been properly notified to attend & I lent W"* 
Wallace 4/6 

19*** I assisted james Cairns a Vendueing several tracts of land for Tax 
in Bedford I was Vendue master I bot 3 peices for Tax my charge for my 
service was 48/ 

20*1* I writ the Deed for Jonathan Rowel to one Caleb Asten and I took 
the acknowledgement for which he paid me 6/ and I went and Riin the 
lines of a Lott in Derryfield for Joseph Sanders my charge is two bushell 
of Corn or as much money as will buy it unpaid and I planed the lott and 
cast the Contents of acres 

21** I writ a Deed from Joseph Sanders of the lott I Run Round yester- 
day to one Dicky and I helped about finishing makeing the Cannoe 

22'' Capt Dow of New Salem came to me With a letter from the 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 383 

secrityiy to attend the General Court and I went and got Eusn Cliiibbock 
to set all four of my horses shoes and I sett out for Exeter and lodged at 
Esqr Sanburns 

23"* I got to the Council at >2 P^st 10 and the court adjourned before 
2 to the 2d Wednesday of august next and after Dinner I went and Reed 
any wages from the Treasury for the last Session being 17-7-4 and I paid 
the Treasr 6-3-7 the Remainder of my Rates that I owed Cairns and 
I paid old Captain Leavit 5-18-6 that I owed him for board the last session 
and I Reed my bror Sam'^'* wages being 16-15—1 and I paid his Rates that 
he owed Cairns being 6-12-10 and I paid Capt Leavit 2-6-6 that he owed 
him for board and I bot 3 £ and better of snuff out of which Mr Shed sent 
money for % £ of a pound and I got 4/ worth of Needles and a Dollars 
worth of Deed blanks and I came to Towles and lodged there 

24"i I came to Rob' MacMiuphys and lodged there 

25"* I got two bushell of Salt from Major Pinkerton for which I paid 
him 7-16-0 and got home about 2 o clock and went to the Falls and got 3 
shad and jamey and Bob got 12 and jamey and I fished Eells the night 
following we got 14 apeice 

26"* I got 20 shad at our setting place and jamey got 14 on the Island 

27"' I attended the Probate court at Amherst my part of the fees came 
to 41/ I had Reed 20/ of it of the Regr money of fees and on McNeal and 
Wilson case and he paid me 20/6 my Expences was 7/ and I got home by 
night 

28"* I went to Amoskeig to Meet David Starrat but he was gone home 
and I got 3 eell hook from james Houston made of my Stuff for my Run- 
ning Round his lott the 20th of last Aprill they should have been made of 
his stuff 

30"* I went to the falls and I got two shad and 17 Ell wives the night 
following a Great Frost that cut off the most of my corn 

JUNE FIRST 

I filled 4 Deeds of the land Cairns Sold att Vendue it was considerable 
of Rain and I Drawed a petition for David Starrat to the Superiour Court 
and I granted him Guardianship of Elizabeth Massey for the Guardian- 
ship and drawing a petition and going to the falls to meet him I charged 
four Dollars and he Paid me the money 

2'i I went to the falls and the River Rise Very fast and no fish and 
jamey and Bob went up yesterday we all come home jamey got 2 shad 
and Bob and I got 7 Ellwives jamey and I had a bowle of Tody at Karrs 
that I owe for yet 

S*! I sent a three Dollar bill with jamey to Mr Houston to pay 8/9 for 
the Worcester paper for three months and am to have last weeks paper 
the first of them and I paid my Bror 7 Dollars being the Ballance of his 
wages at the Session of General Court in Febr and March last above what 
I paid of his Rates and to Capt Leavit for his board made altogether 
16-15-4 which was the whole of his wages that I Reed 

4"* I went and ciit a white ash stick on yoiing Ensn Chubbocks lands 
that made 10 scoop Net Bows and 3 cell poles and brot the stuff for the 
Bows home 



384 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

5*'^ I sliaved and bent the 10 Bows and made two of the Ell poles and I 
gave Samiiell Kennedy a Siunnions for Evidences in his case with George 
Addison and for that and advice I gave him he made a present of a five 
Dollar bill to me 

gth ]vii. Perkinses prentices finished makeing a Stiit of cloaths for jamey 
another Rob' and another for David and a coat for Alex' and two pair of 
breeches for me all of Fustin and a jacoat for me the fore parts of worsted 
and wool the same of my Surtute and I Owe for the wholl of the work to 
Mr Perkins 

8'^ In the afternoon I went to the falls and Hacket and Macmnrphy 
and I got 15 shad and McMurphy gave me his 5 that I got 10 home with 
me and had }4, a bowle of Todj at McGregores for which I paid half a 
Dollar 

9*'^ I went according to Agreement with Mr Rogers in Goffestown to 
Assist the Bondsmen and the Guardians of John Smiths Estate and 
children to Settle the Estate and the Guardians Reed it wholy into their 
hands and the Guardians paid me 30/ for my day and IK of a Dollar for 
my Expences and I got home about midnight 

10"^ David went to Col Moors Mill and brot home the Meal of the Grain 
Bob took there the 8th being 12 }4 bushell of Rie and 4 of Indian corn 

11*'^ Bob set out for Newboston for to bring home a Loom that Susey 
got Ensn Gregg to make for her 

13 & 13"^ I fished att the falls and on the 13th Bob got home with the 
Loom 

IS**^ Bob went to Col Moors mill with near eleven bushell of Rie and 
about S}2 of Indian & got it ground being all the grain we have and 
I went to the falls and got 38 shad 

16"^ I got 18 shad and I fished Eels the night foUomng and followed 
fishing Eels untill the 30th after sunsett in which time the boys and I 
sent hom 700 Eels and Sold 108 (viz) 30 to james MacAllester 10 to Jacob 
McQuade 30 to David Moor and 58 to Stephen French on the 18th we got 
4 salmon at our seting place and the night following Bob & David got 
above 100 eels at the seting place part of the above number 

33'i & 33'! we got 76 Eels 40 I sold to John Riddel 4 I borrowed of the 
company that we got 40 home my Expences at MacGregores was 33/ and 
at Karrs 5/ & 3/ to Alex' MacMurphy 

34"> I attended at the Probate court at Amherst we took the proof of 
one will and 2 inventories returned the Register took them fees and I 
kept what Fees I Reed of David Starett my Expences was a Dollar 

Last week I had a peck of Salt from Esqr MacGregore for which I paid 
him 31/ 

25th I went to the falls and got 15 Eells in the afternoon and the night 
following and Bob got as many 

36"' we came home ^^^th the Caunoe and our things and the 30 eells and 
we let Stephen French have them which makes 88 eells that he has had 
from us in the whole 

87*"^ I Reed from Doctr Cutler 4/ for the writings I did between him 
and Ensn Chubbock and Le^i Whitman and 3/ for his part of some 
writings between him and Col Moor 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 385 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JUNE 27 1778 

28"> Mr Brick preached iu Bedford 

29tii I weut to Esqr MacGregores aud got a Fly net from him and we 
hauled and got a salmon of about 8 £ weight and McLaughlin and I had 
it and I had two Glasses of Rum at McGregores for which I paid 3/ 

30"^ I spent the day with Mr Martin a mending the nett I got yesterday 
aud trying to catch Salmon we got one of 9 or 10 £ and Martin had it 

JULY FIRST 

I went at "Wilhani Wallaces desire to MacGaws to give Evidence in a 
Case between him and Capt Chamberlins sous for not Training and there 
was no justice to try the case and I came home in the Evening and I 
filled a Deed of Dauiell INIarrs place to his son james 

2^ I went to Marrss in Goflfestowu and took the acknowledgements of 
the Deed I writ yesterday and the miuuts to draw a Bond from james to 
his father I charged a bushell of corn or the Value james paid me two 
Dollars and a pound of Flax which he said was Equal to the price of a 
bushell of corn and I got some Cabage plants at Lieut Voses and the 
afternoon I went to McGaws at William Wallaces desire and gave Evi- 
dence in the case between him and Capt Chamberlins sous Joseph and got 
home about the moon setting 

3'' I went to William Caldwells and took a plan of the highway at the 
East end of his laud and down to Merrymac line aud that by his house 
to the north side of his land 

4"^ I finished the plan of the highways that I was on yesterday for 
William Caldwell and the afternoon I went to Chandlers and took james 
Mathies wife aud Beuj" Baxters and Hugh Mathies Depositions for John 
Wallace jum* in his case with William Caldwell and I took james Cald- 
wells and Hugh Orrs Depositions for William Caldwell in his case with 
the town I Reed no pay from either of them for my services 

6*'' I took our Suseys Deposition for W" Caldwell at our house iu his 
case with John Wallace and I helped to hang what was made of the Fly 
nett 

7*'' I went to Amherst at W™ Caldwells Desire to be an Evidence at the 
Inferiour Court in his case with the town which case was decided on 
Thursday at Evening the 9th so late that I could not come home 

lO^'i Col Goffe and Esqr Little of Goffestown and I held a coiu-t at Am- 
herst on old Joseph Steele for a breech of the peace on james Hartshorn 
we judged him Guilty aud fined him 20/ and I paid it to the Treasurer 
W'" Caldwell promised to pay Expeuce while I was detaind on his case 
which was till Saterday my Dinner and J.^ a bowle of brandy tody I had 
on Saterday I paid 6/G for I paid 7/ at Hildreths and Lovejoys while on 
Caldwells Affair I Reed 6/ on some Probate business and 12/ from Major 
Putnam for swearing six witnesses aud certifying them while I was at 
Amherst this week and I came home iu the Evening 

13"^ we set up Suseys new Loom and moved the old one to the back part 
25 



386 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

of the Cellar & hit wife paid Margaret Patteu 5 Dollars toward her weave- 
iug her fine web 

14th I got i^ a bushel of Salt at Esqr Blodgets for us I paid his Daughter 
Betsey 7 Dollars 

Between this and the 20th I workt at makeing a long body for my Cart 

20"' In the afternoon I went to McGaws to hear the Tryal of Capt 
Chaniberlius sons before Esq Underwood the Conipt become Non suit and 
they were taken by New wart signed by Col Goflfe and tryed by him he 
judged them Guilty signed them 30/ each they prayed an appeal but he 
denied them my Expences was 2/6 I got home the latter part of the night 
And we got a washing Tub from old Ensn Chubbock of Which I have 
paid 8/ by \vritiugs the Inventory of Colens Eaton and Ezra Mirick estate 
were Returned the fees paid 18/ 

21*' Abraham Moors paid me a Dollar for Guardianship for Mary Moors 
the 16th of last Decbr and 3/6 of 4/ he borrowed of me to pay for a Ticket 

23^^ Isaac Huston made a new Crank for my wifes foot wheel for which 
he charged 4/ I had no money with me to pay him but promised to pay 
him the first oppertunity 

24"' Chubbock made a new shoe of my Iron and Set it and the other 
three the nails were of my Iron and I went to Sanii^ McFarlands and John 
Craigs to try to get my Calves pastured 

25"^ I and Alex' took our three Calves to Sam^^ McFarlands to pasture 

27"^ Bob and David went and began to Mow in the Little meadow and I 
went up in the afternoon on acct of Deacon Moors mo-sving the Governor 
lott he carried the hay of and we Raked and cocked 19 cocks of what the 
boys mowed in the forenoon 

28'^ I went and brot home a jag in the forenoon and it began to drop 
some Rain before we had done loading and it Rained a considerable 
shower as I came home and it such another shower in afternoon and the 
boys left of mo"wing and came home 

29'^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst my part of the fees with 
some business the Register did came to 87/8 he paid me 40/ and I could 
not give him the change The Inventorys that were returned to me the 
20th I forgot to carry with me and the pay not settled between the Regx 
and me and a comeing home I Reed the Admin'' acct of Uriah Wright on 
his fathers Estate he paid me 24/ 

30"' I brot home a load of hay from the Uttle meadow and we began to 
Reap our Rie in the field before the house 

3P' I brot home another load of hay which is all we have mowed at the 
little meadow and we Reaped 16 Stooks yesterday and to Day 

AUGUST FIRST 

Stephen French helped us Reap and I got a quart of Rum from Chand- 
ler for -svhich I paid 9/ 

3'^ Stephen French helped us Reap and our jamey we finished the field 
before the house the forenoon and got it all in we have 41 Stooks on it and 
I got a quart of Rum from Chandler for which I pd 9/ and it came up a 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 387 

thunder Shower that we Reaped only five sheaves before it came on and 
French went home 

5"^ Stephen French helped us Reap the afternoon 

7"^ Stephen French took our Spring Rie to Reap for the seed There 
was 2 Bushell sowed of it 

8"' the Boys and I finished Reaping our Winter Rie before Breakfast 
we have 52 Stooks in the upper field makes 94 stooks of winter Rie in all 
and Frenches Boy finished Reaping the Spring Rie a little after Dinner 
there was 12 J^^ Stooks of it and I had a Glass of Rum and two brass thim- 
bles at MacGregores for which I paid 2/ and I owe 2 pence of it yester- 
day I had 2 quarts of rum from Zech Chandler on credit except one shill- 
ing and I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for Amaziah Polard 
charged 3/ unpd 

9"^ I went to Amherst with janiey who was going to Rhod Island with 
the Militia there was orders from the Comtee of Safty of this state for as 
many of the Militia to go as Volunteers as pleased There was 152 Exclu- 
sive of Officers went out of Col Moors Regiment my Expences was 12/ 

12*"^ I set out for Exeter to attend the General Court and attended untill 
the 2 2d including both days my wages and Travil came to 15-10-8 I did 
not Receive it there was not money in the Treasury my Expences at Capt 
Leavits was 3-10-0 I had not money to pay it to Mr Smith for horse keep- 
ing 7/6 at the Taverns on the road &c 17/3 I have not at the writing of 
this Settled with my bror Sam" of what he owed out I may owe him some 
I bot an Ivory comb for which I pd 10/ and I pd 12/ for the Copy of Gov- 
ernor Wentworths Deed to Deacon Moor of the Meadow lot no 70 in Bed- 
ford 

23'! Mr Allen preached in Bedford 

24"' James Cau-ns Come and Signed a Deed to james Patterson of the 
land he bot at Vendue and 3 Deeds to Asa Barns and one to Elisha Lin- 
coln and I took the acknowledgements of them and he signed two Deeds 
to me of lauds I had bot and Col : Gofi'e took the acknowledgements of 
mine who was here to get acct of lotts in Gofifestown 

25"' I brot a small jag of hay from the little meadow it was very warm 

26"' David and Alex' went and brot home a load of hay from the little 
Meadow being the last we have had 12 jag there this year I Went to Am- 
herst to Probate court there was no business but one Inventory Returned 
my Expences was 3/6 1 got 3/ for takeing the acknowledgement of a 
Deed and I paid Mr Woodbury 3/ for mending one of james and one of 
Bobs buckles and I got one of the hats from Mr Kimbal that he was make- 
ing for our boys I did not pay for the makeing and I paid Mr William 
King a dollar that his Bro George sent him for his service about paying 
Col : Atkinsons tax in Antrim and Liudborough 

28*'' we finished mowing in the meadow at home 

29*^ we sent our old Oxen and the three 2 years old and the yearlin to 
the little meadow and it we Raked up our hay and it came on Rain in the 
night following 

30"' Mr Allen preached in Bedford 

31" Continued dull Weather 



388 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 



SEPTEMBER FIRST 



we Carted the liay out of the meadow and Spread it on the Rie Stuble 

2^ we began to cut Stalks and got our hay dry and cocked and I writ a 
Deed from W™ Woodburn to my bror Sam^' of no 5 in the 11th Rang and I 
took the acknowledgement "Woodburn paid me 3 / for drawing the deed 
and my wife and poly and jean Striped leaves of the corn Stalks 

3'i we carted in the last of our hay and then I cut Stalks and my wife 
and Betsey and poly and David and Alex' workt at Striping Stalks 

4''^ the Striped a while in the forenoon and in the afternoon we took 
part of the stalks to the mill at Major Goffes and groimd them one over 
we had almost 3 pail ful of juce 

5"^ we took the Remainder of the Striped Stalks to the mill and ground 
them all twice over we got in all about half a barrel of juce or a little 
more we had 10 Quarts of Molasses when it was boiled off 

7*"^ I cutt stalks the forenoon and the Boys cut all day and the afternoon 
Col Goffe sent for me to assist him in Determining a Case between Lieut 
Little and W" Palmer james Moor and james Eaton for an Assault and 
Battery we fined Palmer Guilty and Aquited Moor and Eaton & Palmer 
appealed 

gth I ^veut to Mr Benj" Hartshorns and Run lines for hini and as I was 
going I stoped at Mr Caldwells and Drawed a Deed from Gan Riddell to 
Col Moor of a lott in the Great Meadow and took the acknowledgement 
Riddel paid me a Dollar for his part Moors part to be settled for and I 
lodged at Mr Hartshorns he did not pay nie 

9*'' I Run lines for Tho^ Yickere Rob' Ushar and one Bailey they paid 
me 35/ for my service and I came home it looked much like foul weather 
David & Alex' workt at ciiting and binding Stalks 

10'^ I gave Mrs Chandler 11/ to pay the Post for a 2d 3 mouths of the 
Worcester paper and I paid her 8/ toward Rum I owed them since last 
Reaping time I sent my bror Sam" to Amherst to Examin the Records 
Concerning Col Lut^vyches Estate he returned about 10 or 11 o Clock at 
night and we finished cuting our Stalks 

ll'ii I set out for Exeter to the Com tee of Safty and got in about Sun 
set and lodged at Capt Leavits 

12''' I layed the matter of Col Lut^^^ches Estate before the Comtee after 
a great deal of discourse on the affair they came to conclusion by a major- 
ity to Give an order to Seize the Estate and they appointed Col: Nichols 
Esqr Underwood and Major Chase to Seize take an Inventory of tlie State 
both Real and personal and I paid Eliph Hales wife for him Sig Dollars 
being the remainder of the price of a Side of sole leather I had from him 
In Octr last and I paid my landlady Mrs Leavit 3-10-0 for my board in 
Augt Session of the General Court and I bot 6 £ of shiigar and )^ £ of Tea 
for which I paid 3-6-0 I Reed 17-6-0 for my wages at May and Augt Ses- 
sions and I came to Esqr Sauburns and lodged there 

13"^ I came home my expences was 37/2 

14th I went to Amherst to Col Nichols Avith the order of the Comtee 

IQ*^ I got % £ of snuff and 3 Glass Bottles at Burns for which I paid 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 389 

18/ and I got a Gallon of Vinigar from Zechariah Chandler for whicli I 
paid 6/ & I writ part of Daniell MacMillans "Will 

17"' I finished drawing MacMillans Will and I drawed an Adm"" Acct 
on John Smiths Estate late of Goffestown for the Bondsmen a Rainey day 

IS"^ when we Rise in the morning we found the East Side wall of onr 
Cellar Burst inward and had to dig away on the outside and take out the 
stones and then Build the wall Anew I carted home some more stones and 
James and David workt at the wall 

j^gth They finished building the Cellar Wall and in the afternoon I at- 
tended at Chandlers on Col Moors desire to decide a Case but the Wart 
was not served 

21^' I at the Selectmens desire went along them and William Thornton 
to veiw the road in disjiute between William Caldwell and the town 

22'i I cleaned up allmost two bushell of Rie and I took it and ^o a bush- 
ell of Indian corn that W'" Caldwell sent by Susey to Lt Littles mill and 
got it ground and Lt Moor Butchered a two year old steer for us he 
weighed 174 £ of Beaf and 39 £ of hide and a little before night I went to 
Chandlers where Mr Houston had Goffestown Comtee of Safety in order 
to have them take off the Restriction he was laid under by the Comites of 
three Towns he was layd under in 1775 there was nothing done I got 
home aboiit midnight 

2'S'^ Mr Merril preached a Sermon in Bedford Introductory to holding a 
Presbty for the Tryal of Mr Houston on the Charge brot against him by 
the town he had not been served with a Copy of this charge 10 free days 
before the time of Tryal according to the Rules of the Church of Scotland 
and he would not give up the advantage he had got and come to Trial 

24"^ I assisted the Selectmen and Comte of Safety and Drawed a Peti- 
tion to the Comte of safety of the State against Mr Houstons takeing the 
Oath of fidelity to the State and I took james Heldi-eths Dei^osition for W'" 
Caldwell against the town 

25"^ I Run the North side line of Amos Gardners land for which he is to 
make me 2 P^ Bushell Baskets and sent my old Oxen to John Craigs in 
Goffestown to Pasture by David and I gave John Riddel a Summons in 
his and his fathers case with Col: Moor for which he paid me a Dollar 

26"' Col Goffe and I tryed two cases for Col Moor against Gaun Riddel 
and his son John they were judged Guilty they throwed themselves on the 
mercy of the Court before judgment they were fined 10/ each 

37th ]y[j. Miltimer preached in Bedford 

29"^ I went to Amherst to attend the Superiour Court and Evidence in 
the case of W'" Caldwell & the town 

30*'' I did the business of the Probate being Probate day I did as much 
as the whole fees amounted to 6-10-0 the Register could not assist me 

OCTOBER FIRST 

I granted guardianship for 4 cliildren of W'" Fisks the fees 48/ and I 
coppyed Mr Wilson of Merrymac Will 

2^' I coppyd Deacon Walkers Will and afixed the letters Tcstamentry to 
it in the forenoon and the afternoon I heard Doctr Goves Trial for passing 



390 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

Counterfit money the jury found him Guilty of seven articles in the In- 
dictment 

3'i I came home W'" Caldwell bore my Expences 

5th J went to Col: Moors mill and took 2 bvishell of Rieand had it ground 
I had the Toal 

gth I -vvent by order of the Sessions to plan the Road from McClearys 
mill to W™ Hoggs we had not the Order and Did not do it and I came to 
David McClearys and Writ a Deed from him to Abiel Stevens of his i^lace 
I charged four Dollars and his son W" McCleary paid me the money 

7"^ I went and planed the Road from McCleary Mill to Hoggs and back 
by Mr Parkers to the top of the hill west of Capt Barrens and I got a 
bushell of new Indian corn ground at Col: Moors mill 

8 9 & 10"^ worked at Indian harvest very warm day 

11"^ an Exceeding cold N: E: Storm of Rain 

12**^ a very clear pleasant day & in the Evening I mett the Selectmen 
and Some others to conclude what Evidences to take concerning Mr Hous- 
ton to go to Exeter my expences was 4/ we got in some corn 

13^'* I went to Col: Moors and I got 2 bushell of Rie and one of Indian 
ground and I gave jona Fisk a License to sell of his fathers Estate for 
which he paid me 9/ 

14th J -^yent to Samuell Moors and took his and his wifes acknowledge- 
ment of Lincolns Deed for which I charged him 9/ and I Run the line be- 
tween Lincoln and John Wallace I charged the price of a bushell of corn 
Lincoln let me have a Bushell Basket for his half of it and I gave Wallace 
the other half of it and I got a Bushell Basket from Amos Gardner for 
which I paid him 11/4 

17''^^ I took 2 bushell of Indian corn and a bushell of Rie to Col: Moors 
Mill and got it ground 

19"^ Esqr Underwood attended at Chandlers at the desire of Selectmen 
and Comtee of Safty and took a number of Depositions to go to Exeter 
against Mr Houston and I attended there but did not assist and I writ two 
Deeds one from Col: Moor the other from Col: Goffe both to John Gardner 
I charged Gardner a Dollar apeice for the acknowledgement to be paid me 
1^ Dollar and the other Yz Dollar he owes yet 

£0*^ I spent the day at Chandlers about takeing depositions aboiit Mr 
Houstons being a Tory and Col: Moor and I gave our depositions about his 
offering to Swear to a falsehood in the year 1766 and I paid my State Tax 
to Major Goffe 

2ist I got a pair of shoes that William Kennedy made for me the Stuff 
all mine and Shed made two new shoes and put a peice on the toe of an- 
other and Set the three the Iron of the Shoes was mine the Nail Stuff and 
the peice on the toe was his 

22^1 I set out in company ^vith Tho* Boies for Exeter with the Deposi- 
tions the town took on the 19th and 20th Instant against Mr Houston and 
we lodged at Towles 

23'^ we arrived in Exeter to Breakfast had the hearing before the Comtee 
of Safty in the afternoon they did not determin that night 

24th The comtee agreed to have Mr Houston draw up his acknowledge- 



MA.TTHEW patten's DIARY. 391 

meiit which he did on which they admitted him to Swear the Oath of 
Fidelity and Boies and I came home and the Comtee allowed us to bring 
the Depositions home with us our Expences (exclusive of our provender 
which we carried of our own) was 4-3-0 Boies paid 2-2-0 and I paid 2-1-0 
I was very much out of case I got a moderate Sweat the night following 
by which means I got some better 

2o"^ I lay alhnost all day and Sweat the night following 

26"^ I went with Mr job Holebrook of Woodstock and showed him his 
lotts in Bedford viz no 9 in the 3d Rang and 10 in the 2d I charged him 
nothing for it and he paid me 48/ to pay the Tax and charge for last year 
on no 10 in the 2d Rang of which I had bot a part att the 'Vendue and I 
.gave up my purchas I had not taken a Deed of what I purchased tho there 
was one writ Ready for signing 

2T"i I shelled some corn and Bob went to Col: Moors mill and took 3 
bushell of Indian corn with him and got it Ground 

2S"' I attended the Probate at Amlierst I Reed 30/ and the Regr Reed 
72/ my Expences was 12/ and I paid 6/ to Alex MacNeil of jaffrey for my 
Neighbour Nathan Shed 

29"^ I set out for Exeter to Attend the General Court and attended uu- 
till the 2 2d of November Inclusive being 25 days when my wife sent Da\'id 
for me and on the 23d I came home and at Chester I Reed 21 £ of the 
price of my Sparked ox that the Boys sold to Tho' Shirley and there Re- 
mains 27 £ of his price yet to be paid and while I was there I bot as many 
articles as came to 37/5 my Expences was 37/6 Over what I was at my 
lodging at Capt Leavits which I did not Settle when I came home my wife 
sent David for me Susanna and jane was supposed to be dangerously ill 
with the Bloody flux 

NOVEMBER 

24th J granted a License to Mary Waliugford to sell land in the County 
of Hillsboro of her late husbands Estate and got the fees being 30/ and I 
paid Zechariah Chandlers wife 6-5-0 being for a Note of 20 Dollars and 2/ 
Intrest and an Almanack 

25'*> I went to Amherst to the Probate Court the Regr took the fees but 
how much they were I dont know and I got 7 jills of Wine and as much 
West India Rum and 3 £ of Shugar from Means for which I paid 3 £ and 
I got }^ £ of Tea from Rob* Burns for which I paid him 33/ and I paid 
him 44/ for 2 £ of shugar and 3 pints of Rum and 3 ounces of peper our 
folks got from him while I was at Exeter 

2&^ I paid Esqr McGregore 49/ for two Quarts of Rum and a pint of 
Wine our folks had while I was at Exeter and 3 /6 for % ^ bowle of Tody 
today and I got a bushell of Indian Corn Ground at Sam^' Moors mill 

27"^ I took a bushell of Indian corn to Col: Moors mill and got it Ground 
and I got 6 pound of shugar from Rob' Burns and pd him 30/ for three 
pound of it and the other three I owe him for 

28"^ I went to Thomas Boies for Patrick Larkin and ^xv\t a Bond and a 
lease for him he did not pay me nor did not Settle how much it should be 
I gave Capt Aiken the Copy of Deacon Walkers Will and letters testa- 



392 MATTHEAV PATTEN'S DIARY. 

mentary for whicli I charged him 30/ aud I paid hiiu 27/ which paid off 
for the side of Sole leather of 11//^ £ I had from him the 14th of last May 

29th jy^r Allen preached iu Bedford 

30'^' A Suow Storm from the N: E: aud I drawed a supplication aud a 
notification for a Proprietors meetiug of this town and a Copy to be posted 
up aud in afternoon I went at Mr W'" Spooners desire to Chandlers and 
took the Proof of Mrs Lut"svyches will the fees to be paid to the Register 

NOVEMBER (DECEMBER?) 3d 

I drawed the plan of the highway from McClearys Mill into the Road 
by Hoggs & from there to Round by Parkers to the top of the diged way 
between his house and Capt Barrous 

4^^ I went to Col : Moors mill and took three bushell of Indian Corn and 
got it ground 

5"^ I went to Col : Moors Mill took l^o' bushell of Indian corn about 3 
quarts over 1 1^ of Rie and got it ground and I paid janies Cairns four Dol- 
lars toward the land I bot at Vendue last May and I writ a Deed from 
Whitefield Gillmore and his wife and John Duulap and his wife to Col : 
Moor of the meadow lott no 50 in the Great meadow 

7th "Was the meeting of Bedford and Merrymac to chuse a Representa- 
tive at John Burns when Lieut John Orr was chosen to Represent the towns 
in the General Assembly John Dunlap and I had a mug of Tody aud I paid 
4/ for the half of it 

gth I went to Col : Moors Mill and I took !}.< bushell of Corn and as 
much Rie and got it ground and I got the Rie Bolted 

9"^ I went to Sam" Moors Mill for Nathau Shed and got 2 bushell of 
corn and a bushell of Rie ground for him of his Grain 

10"! WAS THE GENERAL THANKSGIVEING THROUGH THE 
STATE it began to Snow in the afternoon and snowed untill the next day 
the Son an hour or two high in which time it fell 16 inches deep 

11th y^Q 'broke out over the Caiiseway and got home a little wood and I 
got 7 Jills of Rum from Chandler for which I paid 12/ 

12"^ we got home 3 small jags of wood 

14"^ Col : Goffe sent for me to Chandlers and I went and while I was 
there I WTit a Deed from james McAUestcr to his Bror William of the 
place that was his fathers and a Release from his father to him of a lease 
he had of half of the place from james and I took the acknowledgement of 
the Deed for which W" paid me 3 Dollars 

IS'** I went to Lieut John Orrs and gave him an order to draw my wages 
at the last Session of the General Court and orders to pay my board to 
Old INIrs Leavit and the Remainder of two Quarts of Mustard seed I had 
from Deacon Knowls of which I had paid him two Dollars before 

IG''* Shed upset an Ax for me that was oui* Johns that had lain at Alex- 
ander McMm-phys since the winter before our War began till about a fort- 
night ago and the Boys got some wood 

17*^ was a Rainy day and I finished the plan of the Road from McClearys 
Mill to Hoggs 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 393 

18"' David took the coal of his Tar Kiln to Shed there was 30 bushill of 
them aud we brot home a load of wood 

19'h James and our 4 Cattle helped james Houston to Move his Shop 
from Bells to his new house 

21"' I went Litchfield to Esqr Clagets and he filled a Writ for me 
against Deacon Moor and his two Sons james and Wiliam for their Mow- 
ing and carrieing away the hay of the Governor lott in the Little Meadow 
the 2Tth of last July and he would take fees untill he see how I made out 
at the final Trial 

32'' David brot home the Calf from Samuell MacFarlands I took it there 
the 25th of July last I took 3 there then and one was drowned the next day 
the other I gave him the one that was drowned and that I gave him were 
Stears the one I have is a heifer 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 22d 1778 

23'! I got a side of Sole leather from Stephen French of. 18)^ £ and a 
large side of upper leather to be settled in our acct and my wife was taken 
out of Case and I got a pint of Rum at Chandlers for w^hich I paid him 7/ 

25"! I went to Col: Moors mill and I took l;Jo bushell of Rie and as much 
Indian corn and got it ground 

28"' I went to Esqr MacGregores at David Sterrats desire and Vendued 
one 100 acres of land in Dunbarton that belonged to Elizabeth Messey 
Sterret sold it as Guardian for her it was Struck of to John Dickey for a 
1003 Dollars aud afterward one Woodbui-y and Garvin got it from Dickey 
and Starret gave them a Deed and Garvin paid me 6/ for takeiug the 
acknowledgement and we finished at the moon Setting aud I staid at 
McGregores the Remainder of the night I was much fategued with the 
affair and the want of sleep I left it to Sterrat to give me what he pleased 
for my trouble and he did not give me anything nor say what he would 

29"' I came home and brot three bushell of grain unground from Sam^^ 
Moors mill that I took there yesterday by Reason that he could not get her 
to go she was so froze and the boys killed our two hogs and I borrowed a 
peck of French Salt of my bror Sam'i to Salt them 

30'" WAS A CONTINENTAL THANKSGIVEING BY ORDER OF 
CONGRESS and I got a copy of the plan of government from my bror 
and I copyd a considerable part of it 

31"' I finished Copying the plan of Government and Shed made nails to 
set the shoes on my horse and sharpened the toes and heels of three of the 
Shoes the nail iron was mine 

JANUARY FIRST 1779 

Shed sett the four shoes on my horse and I went to Col : Moors mill and 
1>.^ bushell of Rie and as nmch Indian ground and I got >^ £ of Tobacca 
and 12 Rows of Pins at Burns for whicli I paid 14/ aud I owe 2/ yet of the 
price and I had a jill of Rum at Lieut Smiths for which I paid 3/ and 
Lieut Orr had drawed my wages for the last Session being 39-10-0 as he 
said out of which he paid my landlady Leavit 15-9-0 and to Deacon 
Knowls 6/ being the Remainder of two quarts of mustard seed I had from 



394 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

him and he paid me the ballance being 23-15-0 and I paid David Houston 
9/ for his being an Evidence in Col : Moors Case against Gan Riddel 

4''^ I settled with old Ensn Chubbuck for what work he did for us and 
what I did for him and a bushell of Tiu-nips I am to let him. have and I 
fell 28/6 in his debt and I paid him 30/ and he could not give me the 
change and I writ Two Deeds from Nathan Shed one of them was to Stephen 
French of the west end of his lott the other was to Ensn Chubbuck of the 
easterly half of his lott and a Deed from French to james Martin of % an 
acre of Frenches half where the house and Shop stands Shed is to pay for 
one deed and french is to pay for another and Martin and Chubbuck is to 
pay for the other 

5*'' I got }^ £ of Tea and a pound of Coffee from Rob' Burns mother for 
which I paid her 48/ and I paid her 30/ that I owed Rob* for 3 £ of Shugar 
which I had from him the 27th of last Novbr and 2/ that I owed by a 
wrong cast of some pins I had there the 1st Instant and I paid Majr Goffe 
the Remainder of my Rates for the last year being 4-10-8 

7"^ I went to Amherst and attended the Sessions 3 days my Expences 
was 3 £ and I got a pound of Tobacca from Rob' Means for which I paid a 
Dollar and I drawed a Recognizance of W'" Caldwell about the highway 
and I got no pay for it 

11"^ I went to look about to get some logs on the common in Goffestown 
and found some 

12''' I got my brors Sam'"' and my james and I went and we fell 30 trees 
on the common north of Sam'^ Moors mill and I Reed 24/ from Stephen 
Tiittle for -writings I did for him in April 1776 and I had a Bowie of tody 
at Chandlers for which I paid 8/ and I froze both my great toes 

13"' I writ 2 deeds for Zach Chandler one to John Wallace and the other 
to Esqr MacGregore and james got Tho" Lancey and they cut 19 logs off of 
the trees we fell yesterday 

14"» I ^vl•it a power of attorney from Jaunet Wallace and took the ac- 
knowledgement I charged the price of i^' a bushell of corn she is to pay it 
in Spining for my wife and I drawed a Complaint and warrant for Capt 
Ramseys son William against james Stinson and Samuel Allison of Dun- 
barton for an Assault and Battery 

15"' General Stark his Wife and son Archibald came to see us 

16"' we had a far out cossiu came from Saco to see us and my Brors 
Sam" 4 oxen and his son Sam" helped us di-aw loggs off the conunon in 
Goffestown they drawed 15 to the River and on to Sam" Moors mill and I 
paid Capt Elisha Woodbury 20 dollars being the last of all my John owed 
him 

18"' my james got Capt Maclaughlins John to help him cut logs on the 
common in Goffestown they cut 20 which was the last of the trees we fell 
the 12th there is 52 logs in all 

19"^ an Exceeding cold morning no wind 

22'i our Boys hauled 9 logs to the River and one to the Mill and a Red 
oak cut for Slitwork from home to the Mill with our own team 

23'! the boys went and haled 3 logs to the River and it came on foul 
weather and they came home and I went to Col : Moors mill and I took 2 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 395- 

bushel of Indiau com and II4 of Rie the rie they Totled and the Indian 
I had the toal 

25"' a Stormy day of Hail and Rain 

26"' I went to Mr Merrils to see about Swaping Oxen I had }£ a, mug of 
Tody at Esqr MacgTegores for which I paid 5/ 

27*'' I went to Amherst and attended the Probate Court and the Regr 
and I settled for what fees we had severally Reed since our last settlement 
which was at last August Probate and I fell four pounds in his debt or 
more than my share and I lodged at Mr Smiths 

28*1' I went to Mr Abbots and got 4 £ of Tobacca for which I paid 36/ 
and I came home my Expeuces was 30/ 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I writ a Deed and took the acknowledgement for Alex'' McCalley junr of 
Merrymac I charged 4 Dollars he could not pay me and I went to Col: 
Moors mill and took two bushell of corn with me and got it ground 

2"^ we had Martins four Oxen helping us log over Piscataquog we hauled 
in ten to the River a very warm thawey day 

4th ^Q gQi a little wood and jamey went and cut some logs over Pis- 
cataquog 

5th I went to Col: Moors mill and I took two bushell of Rie and as much 
corn and got it ground and I got % 2 oi peper and a mug and half a bowle 
of Tody at Burns for which I paid 16/ 

gth I -^yj.j(- ^ Bond from Alex' McCoUey junr of Merrymac to his Father 
for his maiuteuce 

10"' I writ two Deeds from Stephen French the one to james Martin and 
the other to John Gordon both of part of the lott that French had of my 
Bror by Deacon Littles I know not how they are to be paid it was a warm 
pleasant thawey day 

12"' we hauled ten logs above Sam" Moors mill to the River with our 
own Team 

13*1^ the boys went and hauled in two logs to Sam'i Moors mill pond 
which finished what we had there we have 64 to go there in all 3 of which 
we hauled to his Mill 

15"' the boys went to cut Red oak for slit work on Nath" Pattersons 
land west of Orrs mill and I went and fell a pine tree on the Meeting 
house hill and I went to Col: Moors and I writ a Deed of his place to 
Stephen and Silas Dole and I lodged there over night 

16"^ I did the other writings between them and I writ a deed from Col: 
Moor to Robert Alexander and I took the acknowledgement and I took the 
acknowledgement of the Deed to Doles for which they pd me 12/ and I 
took the acknowledgement of a Deed for Tliomas English for which he 
promised to pay me 12/ and I went to Burns and I got 2 £ of shugar % £ 
of Tea and 2 Glass bottles on credit 

17"^ I shelled 2 bushell of Indian corn and I filled an Admin' Bond Let- 
ters of Admin' and an apprize Wart for a woman blouging to Dunbartou 
on her first husbands Estate and she did not let me know that she was 



396 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

Married again iiutill I filled them I charged her 15/ and james Hogg who 
came with her paid nie the money 

18"^ I went to Col: Moors mill and took two bushell of Rie and as much 
corn and had it Ground and james and David hauled in conjunction with 
Nathii Patterson red oak logs to Orrs mill for studs and Braces and one cut 
for Pattersons Barr for Ribs and I went Chandlers and took the proof of 
Robert Gillmores Will the Executors hadnt money to pay the fees 

19«ii I shelled 3 bushell of corn 

20*'^ I fell one pine tree southeast of the meeting hoiise hill it made three 
logs I cutt two off and james cut one and I cutt of four Logs oil" of a tree I 
fell on the hill before and james cleaned about 6 bushell of Rie and David 
and Alex got wood 

22'! We went and Nath^^ Patterson helped us and we haled two cuts for 
studs and one for Braces to Orrs mill of his land and we brot 78 feet of 
plank for him to the corner of our old field 33 feet of them was three inch 
plank 

23'^ we went and hailed one log from the meeting house hill to the Oak 
laud between and Orrs mill and we hauled three more and layd them down 
at the crossing of the Road this side the Graveyard 

24'h I went to Amherst to the Probate Court and came home in the 
night my Expences was 20/ the Regr and I did not Settle he gave me 30/ 
of the fees 

26"! the boys (viz) james and David went out to prepare for makeing 
shugar where we made last spring 

27"^ james Cut between his ancle and Instep a bad cut and came home 
and my brors Sam^i and John and I with both our Teams together hauled 
2 butt logs that I Cut to Orrs mill and we brot 149 feet of oak plank for 
Nathaniel Patterson as far as the crotch of the Road between and Cald- 
wells 

MARCH 2d 

David and I went out to our shiigar works and staid there the night 
f ollo^\^ng and james and Alex brot Kittles and things to Sam" Tundls 

3<^ we came down and Alex"" came up and we took up the great Kittle 
and tubs and pails up by hand sley and by hand a very f ateagueing Job 

4th David and Alex' brot up the Remainder of the things on the Sley 
yesterday we got 8 or 9 pail fulls of sap and today 11 pail fulls we boiled 
into Shugar we had I supposs about 9 £ of Shugar 

gth YfTQ came home it was very snowey day 

6*'' james Campbell and Adam Dunlap finished makeing Shoes at our 
house they have made 13 pair for which they charged 13 £ and james paid 
them 40/ and Susanna as much that there Remained 9 £ which I owe 
them and I went out to our Shugar works and Emptied the troughs and I 
gathered 13 pails full of sap 11 pails of it was clashed with the Snow and 
I came from there after dark 

S''* I granted Administration on the Estate of Thomas Perrin to his 
Widow Susanna she paid me 30/ and I spent whole night at Esqr Mac- 
gregores on W" Ramsey and Samuell Allisons and james Stiusous case 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 397 

they left it Col: Kelley Esqr MacGregore and Lt Sawyer the judged Stiu- 
son to pay the cost aud aquited Allison my fees was 22/ Ramsey pd me 
24/ and would not take any change and I got home between Daybreak and 
Sun Rise 

9*'* I went out to the shugar works to David and Alex'' 

10"' David came home and I staid with Alex"" untill the 13th when Alex' 
and I came home we shugared of 20 £ this week we had made 8 or 9 £ be- 
fore 

15"' Alex' and I went out to make shugar we Boiled of about 11 or 13 
pails full of sap 

16"' we shugared it of we had about 7}-^ £ of shugar the weather was 
very cold aud appeared to continue so and we came home since I went a 
shugaring last week james and David got the Slit work stuff into Orrs 
mill aud had got home 45 sticks for Studs and 36 sticks for Braces 

17"' james and I went to Orrs mill and we got John McLaughlins james 
and his oxen to help us and we brot home 50 sticks for studs which made 
allmost half the stuff that Nath" Patterson and us got for Studs and 
Braces there will be a few more Braces comeiug to me of the half 

18*^ james went to Out a Red Oak on Nath^' Pattersons land that he 
offered me yesterday Biit he cut it yesterday himself 

19"' & 20"' we hauled in 5 logs to Wallaces mill for Slit work 

22^ a very heavy Snow Storm out of the North East 

23'i David and went out to our Shugar works we gathered 11 pails of ice 
and snow and Sap we had 4 £ of shugar of it 

24"' came about 9 or 10 o Clock an Exceeding Storm of Snow from the 
N: E: it fell upward of a foot deep and james took 6 bushell of Indian corn 
and as much Rie with a team to Col: Moors mill aud had it ground 

25*'' David and I came home very great fategue it snowed some all day 
the snow is 3 feet and 10 inches deep and some places 4 feet the 3 last 
snows that fell is 26 inches deep 

26"' james went to Col: Moors mill with Team and took 4 bushell of 
Indian corn and as much Rie and had it Ground and David and Alex'^ 
went out to our shiigar works 

27"' james went to Col: Moors Mill with a team and took S}.^ Bushell of 
Indian corn and 7 Bushell of Rie with him and had it Ground and I went 
to Burns and I got a pound of Coffee for which I paid him 18/ and I got a 
pound Tobacca from him and I took the acknowledgement of a power of 
attorney for him and I would not take anything for it and he would not 
take any pay for the Tobacc-a 

29"' I went out to our shugar works and Boiled what the boys gathered 
the 27th being 8 pails full and I got 8 today which produced about 7 £ of 
shugar 

30"' I gathered 8 pails full of Sap and came home and the Boj's got wood 
these two days 

31*' I was so much much fategued and out of case that I could not go 
to Amherst to attend the Probate Court aud james and David took a stick 
to Wallaces mill to be Sawed for to make a short Body for our Cart and 
David aud Alex'' went out in the after noon to our shugar works 



398 MATTHEW .patten's DIAEY. 

APRIL 

1*^' James went -with our Oxeu aud helped Col: Moor to move his Goods 
to the River and I went and accompanied him to the River 

2<i I went out to our Shugar works in the afternoon and james was out 
before me and had gathered 6 pails of Sap and was boiling when I got 
there 

3'i I boiled what sap we got since tuesday morning into Shugar there 
was 9)^ £ of it David aud Alex'^ had boiled 13 pails of it before aud I shu- 
^ared that and what we boiled all together 

5"' I Borrowed 50 Dollars from W" Caldwell 

6"^ I went to Amherst to the Inferiour Court and I entered my case 
against Deacon Moor and his Sons 

7"i I gave up the case and the afternoon I went to om- Shugar works 
aud lay there the night following 

8'^^ I came to Amherst and attended the Sessions and was an Evidence 
in W'" Caldwells case (vs) Bedford on au Indictment against Caldwell 
last Octr Court 

9"^ I attended the Sessions and I came home in the Evening and while 
I was there I paid 6-1-0 fees in my case with Deacon Moor aud my Ex- 
peuces was 5-3-0 and I paid Mr Woodbury 6/ for mending james Buckle 
some time ago and I bot 2 £ of tobacca from Doctor Stevens for which I 
paid 15/ and Tho^ Boies and james Vose lost it in carrieing it for me from 
Amherst 

IQth I went mth the Horse and Karr and brot home part of our things 
from our shugar works 

12"> was in the afternoon aud Evening following a considerable Rain 

13"' my wife aud I went and paid a Visit to William Caldwell before 
his moveing away 

15"' james and our 4 Oxen and Cart went to Goffestown "svith W"" Cald- 
well to help him to Move and I went and I went and see him set off and 
Joseph Farmer Gelded 2 Boars and spead a Sow for me for which I paid 
him two Dollars and I Granted administration on Sam^' Ordways Estate 
to his widow Lydia fees paid 52/3 

16*'' I gave John Henry of Merrymac a Wart to have his mothers third 
set off and another to have the Estate divided or apprized in order for a 
settlement he paid 30/ fees for both Warts aud I took three jackkuif han- 
dles to Mr Holt to have blades made for them and I got a pound of 
Tobacca at Burns^ for which I paid 9/ 

20"' james aud I weut to our Shugar works there had been a Cold snap 
of w^eather which made us think the Sap w^ould run 

21»' yesterday and today we got about 30 pails of Sap and boiled it into 
about 1,^0 pails and we came home 

23<' David and I went out and we got about 9 pails of sap aud we boiled 
in of what james aud I got 

23'! I tryed to Shugar the Sap but it would not Shugar aud we came 
home 

24"' I Divided Sheds farm between Stephen French and old Ensn Chub- 



L 



MATTHEW patten's DIAlir. 399 

buck French promised to pay me and I went to Tho« Towuseuds to divide 
his farm and he was away from home and it could not be done and I 
came home 

25"' Mr Wheeler preached in Bedford he came her the 22d by Recom- 
mendation from my friend Rob* Patten of Biddeford 

26"' I went to Mr Holts and got the knives I caiTied there the 16th 
Instant and I took another handle today and Got a blade put in it and for 
it and the other three I paid Mr Buton 30/ and I got a Glass of Rum put 
into water at Mr Holts for which I paid 2/6 

27"' I went vnth the Horse and Karr and brot home the Remainder of 
our things from our shugar works 

28"^ I went to Amherst and attended the Probate court the Regr and I 
settled for the fees that we had Reed both together and apart since our 
last settlement the Regr Reed all the fees today which made us Even and 
I lodged at Smiths I got }4 an Ounce of snuff and 3 £ of Tobacca from Dr 
Stevens for which I paid 23 / 

29"' WAS THE STATE FAST and I came home my Expenes was 50/ 
and Mr Wheeler preached in Bedford 

30"' I split some pine wood 

MAY FIRST 

I Run the lines of the home lotts in Capt Barrons Estate which was 
laid off to his son Silas for Jonathan Wood Being no 29 30 and 31 for 
which he paid me 4-8-0 and I went to Rogers in Goffstown and I got two 
pound of Coffee and 2 ounces of Tea for which I paid 2-8-0 and they 
abated me 1/6 of price and I had Vo ^ bowle of Tody and they would not 
take any pay for it and they gave me a Glass of Brandy 

3'* I Run lines for Benj" Sprague of this town he was not at home but 
he has Engaged his bror in Law Asa Barns to attend in his Stead which 
he did I Reed no pay my charge is 6 £ 

4"' in the afternoon I split some pine wood 

5"' I went to Amherst to the Sessions and I Bot 8 £ of Tobacca from 
Doer Stevens for which I paid 56/ my Expences was 9/ and I came home 
by night 

6"' WAS A CONTINENTAL FAST BY ORDER OF THE CON- 
GRESS 

7"' I went and Run lines for Deacon Nichols and Oliver Roby in Mer- 
rymac for which they paid me 3 £ each and Roby paid me fo ^ dollar that 
he owed me since this time two year and I lodged at Deacon Nichols* son 
and Thomas Shirley paid my wife 92 Dollars the Remainder of the Ox 

8"' I Run lines for Aaron Gage and Mr Mirrick and Alex' McCalley 
junr and old Mr Gage for which Aron Gage paid me 12 Dollars and Mc- 
Colley 8 and Mr Gage paid me 4 Dollars for a Deed and the acknowledge- 
ment which I am to write and McCalley paid me 2 Dollars for my wi'iting 
a deed and takeing the acknowledgement some years ago from his father 
to him and 4 Dollar for another deed this latter part of winter and 2 Dol- 
lars for a bond done at the time I writ the deed 

10"' I writ the Deed for Aaron Gage that he paid me for the 8th and I 



400 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

went to W" Caldwell aud I paid the fifty Dollars to his wife that I bor- 
rowed from him at last April court time he was from home 

11"^ I took the ackuowledgemeut of the Deed that I writ for Aarou 
Gage yesterday and I split some pine wood 

12''^ I split some more pine wood 

13*'' I went to our shngar Camp and covered some fire steads with brush 
where we had Cabbage and french Turnii) seed sowed to preserve them 
from the Cattle 

14th J -went to Benjii Hartshorns in Merrymac and got a bushell of 
Beans from him for my Runing lines for him the 8th of last September 

lo'^i I went and to Jacob McGaws and left a thirty Dollar Bill (the date 
whereof was November 2d 1776 and the no 37827) wdtli his wife for james 
Campbell and Adam Dunlap being what I owed them for their makeing 
shoes at my house last winter and yesterday and today I had a Gill aud a 
half of Rum at Mr Holts for which I pd 6/9 

17th I -went to Mr Joseph Georges in Weare and got two bushell of salt 
by a token from Mr Nathaniel Holt of Merrymac who owns the salt for 
which I am to pay Mr Holt nine pounds pr biishell by agreement my Ex- 
penes was 3/6 

18"^ we took our Cannoe and Nets to the falls in the Cart we catched 9 
shad at oiir setting place and I got ^o a bushell of salt from Esqr Mac- 
gregore and 1 ^o bowle of Tody for which I paid him 15 Dollars and I paid 
him a Dollar over and got no change and we fished the Remainder of the 
week and got home 126 shad and a 20 £ salmon 

24*'^ being Monday we all went to the falls and we got home 68 shad 
this week and some Ells we sold some I think 100 amongst us on Tuesday 

26"^ we let Stephen French have 60 Eels toward what I owe him 

28*'^ I went with Esquire Blanchard to Merrymac to Measure the land 
he sold to Mr Tarbell and on my way I paid Mrs Holt 15 Dollars being the 
Remainder of the price of the 2 bushell of salt I had at Mr Georges of him 
the 17th Instant 45/ Dollars of it I paid the week I got it by my boy 

29"^ I came home Esqr Blanchard gave 27 dollars for my services I 
would not charge anything but he insisted he would not have it for noth- 
ing this week james got 1% of a bushell of corn for 25 shad 

31(>t I gQ^; young Ensn Chubbuck to set four shoes on my horses feet and 
I gave him four Dollars and I went to the falls and got 32 Eells the night 
following I sold 8 for money and 23 I sold to Samuell Moor to be paid in 
sowing 

JUNE FIRST 

I got 32 Eels the night following 

2<^ I came home in the Evening 

3d 4th j§; 5th David and I was with james Cairns measuring off land that 
he sold for taxes for the year 1777 on the 3d I let him have 10 Dollars on 
the 4th I paid John Craig 9 Dollars being the Remainder of what I owed 
him for pastureing my Oxen last faul 

7''! I filled Deed of the land I bot of james Cairns of the lott no 8 in the 
3d Rang and went to Esqr Littles and gott him to go to Cairns in New 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 401 

boston and he took the acknowledgement of the Deed and I went to Am- 
herst from there and gave the Deed to Col: Nichols at Mr Smiths about 9 
o Clock in the Evening I had a jill of Rum at Esqr Littles and I could 
make change to pay him for it nor for his going to Cairns and I had 2 
quarts of Oats at John McLaughlins and could not make change to pay for 
it my Expence at Mr Smiths was 15/ which I paid and I got home as day 
broke 

8*'^ I went to the falls in the afternoon and staled till the 10th when I 
came home and brot the Canuoe and Net poles With me in this week 
James and I got home 50 Eels and james lent james Patterson 12 Eels that 
he could not pay and I paid Esqr McGregore 33/ being the Remainder of 
what I owed him for my Expences this fish time my whole Expences this 
fish time that I paid in money was 3 £ 6/ 

IP^ I went to Mr Browns in Sunkook and I got nine Ounces of Indigo 
at 66/ and 2 £ of Coffee at 42/ from John Dobbyn and I paid him and he 
gave me a pound of Coffee 

12"^ I paid Zechariah Chandler seven Dollars for james Cairns being 
toward the price of the land I bot at Vendue of him in May 1778 for the 
Tax for the year 1777 and I paid him 18/6 to give Mr Bean for the Worces- 
ter paper for the second three mouths he being overpaid 1/6 in the first 
three months 

14tii I went to the falls and fished for a salmon but got none 

16"* I Run Round the 3d Division lott no 65 and Divided it viz 20 acres 
of the west end to Benj" Robey and the Remainder to Ebeu Stinpson of 
Reading the lott was Capt William Barrons and had sold it to them and I 
writ the Deeds and took the acknowledgements I charged them 27 Dollars 
and they paid me the money in equal shares and I lodged at Capt Barrons 

17"! I Run lines for james Gibson Mattliew Gibson Samuell Gibson Mr 
Foster and Thomas Wilson james and Matthew Gibson and Foster is to 
pay me 5 Dollar each and Willson 2}^ Dollars and Samuell Gibson paid 
me his 213 Dollars which several sums made my days wages and I came 
home and I paid Mr Holts wife 7 Dollars in Exchange for a 7 Dollar bill 
that Esqr Blanchard gave her for me on the 28th of last May it being of 
one of the Emissions that was Stopped passing and I had a Glass of Rum 
put into water which was 3/6 she owed me /6 and I gave her 2/6 and I 
owe her / 6 yet 

18"i I got a quart of Rum at William Rogers for which I paid 38/ and I 
got 3 quarts of yellow dwarf Beans from james Gillmor and would not 
take any pay for them 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JUNE 18 1779 

21^' was a town meeting and a training which we all attended 
22'^ the Boys and I went and Roled our logs into the River above 
Samuel Moors mill and got thein to the boom in the Mill pond 

23*^ we had Sam" Moor and his hircid man and his 4 oxen and John Mc- 
Intoshes Oxen in the forenoon helping us to draw logs out of the Pond 
onto the ways we hauled out 25 one was to be cut in two and in the af ter- 
26 



402 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

noon the boys and I got tlie Rest of the logs to the landing being 35 in 
Number and secured them in a Boom 

24th I -^veut and Run lines for William Wallace and I lodged at his 
father Scobeys 

25"^ I writ a Deed from Joseph Scobey to W™ Wallace of the half of his 
place and a bond from Wallace to him of his working the place and Deliv- 
ering the half of the produce and I took the acknowledgement of the deed 
and the Bond Wallace gave me 20 Dollars for my service and I went to 
Robert Neasmiths and did two or three sets of my Compass for him he 
did not pay me I shall charge him 2^^ Dollars 

26"^ I went at Col: Moors Desire and Run the south side line of the lotts 
he bot of Capt Leigh in the sixth Rang and part of the North side line we 
were much pestered to find the line 

27"^ was Sabathday and Mr Davidson preached in Bedford and we had 
our five youngest children baptised (viz) David Mary Alexander jean and 
Sarah who we would not have have Baptised with Mr Houston while he 
was Minister in Bedford 

28"^ I Grranted Administration on the Estate of Lieiit jese Karr to his 
father Capt Karr the fees to be settled in our acct and I went to bring 
home to Cabbage and frencli Turnip plants from our Shugar Camp but the 
cattle had eat them all and I came to Samuell Turrils and I got a parcel 
of Cabbage and some french Turnips plants there 

29th I -v^ent to Esqr McGregores and I bot an old Hoggshead of him for 
which I paid him 5 Dollars and I had I had a bowle of tody for which I 
paid 2 dollars and I paid Esquire Little a Dollar for half a bowle of Grog I 
had at his house the 7th Instant and offered to pay him for his going to 
Cairns in Newbostou with me and takeing acknowledgement of a deed 
said day but he would not take any pay for it 

30tii I -\yent to Amherst and attended the Probate my part of the fees 
was 64/ my Expences was 24/ I carried 2 Rackoon skins and 14 musquash 
skins to Mr Kimball to make two hatts and I bot 100 of Board Nails from 
Mr Fisk for which I paid him 6 Dollars and I paid Mr Stevens 9/ 6 for Mr 
Shed for a pair of desk hinges and 3 Dollars of sheds own Money 

JULY FIRST 

I filled six deeds from james Cairns to several man he had sold land to 
for taxes (viz) one to John Dinsmore 8 to Asa Barns one to Same" Henry 
and one to Major Goffe 

2'i I filled a Deed from Cairns to myself of Capt Stinsons land that I bot 
at Vendue and I went to Sam" Moors mill & Butted nine logs 

8*1 I went and Run the lines of no 4 in the 5th Rang for Tho' and Jona 
Fletcher and took the acknowledgements of three Deeds I charged them 
20 Dollars and they paid me the money 

5^^ 1 took the acknowledgement of two Deeds that james Cairns gave 
Major Goffe of land sold at Vendue for taxes for which Goffe paid me 4 
Dollars and I went Cairns and Measured off to Elisha Lincoln of the lott 
East of his fathers what he bot it came 6 acres and 128 Rods and after 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 403 

that I Ran the line between Elisha and John Gordon which Elisha is to 
pay I charged 18 Dollars or two days work at Reaping or Mowing 

(5tii -^yg ]iad Mclntoshes oxen and Sani^' Moors 4 oxen and his hired man 
helping lis and we drawed the Remainder of our logs and Sam^^ Moors 
mill being 35 in Number and we went to Esqr McGregores and we brot 
away the Hogshead I bot from him the 29th nit and I bot another for 
which I paid him 5 Dollars for 

7"' I Rnn lines for Joseph Fletcher at the East and West ends of no 8 in 
the 6th Rang and between it and no 9 and at the west end and about the 
half of the north line of 9 when there came on a thunder shower and beat 
us off I charged 16 Dollars and he paid the Money 

8"' I went to Amherst and attended the Sessions 

9"' I attended the Sessions my Expences was 3-4-0 I bot ten Rows of 
pins and 5 £ of tobacca for which I paid him 2-18-0 and I took the 
acknowledgement of a Deed for landlord Smith for which he paid me two 
Dollars 

10"! I %vTit a Deed for Elisha Lincoln from james Cairns for which he 
paid me two Dollars and I writ a petition for George Graham to Masons 
Pi'oprietors 

12"^ I sent a letter by George Graham to John Rindge about his land in 
Bedford and I went and got a teacup full of Turnip Seed from old Mrs 
Turrill for which I paid her 4/ 

13"' I went to plowing in the field by my brors and broke the beam of 
the plow off at the Colter hole and carried the Irons to james Wallace to 
have him build a new one 

14"' I carried 14 mould boards for plowes to james Wallace of mine and 
Bob and David went and began to mow in the Little meadow and in the 
afternoon it looked much like Rain and we Raked up what they mowed 
and I paid Mrs Burns 12 Dollars I owed her son Rob*^ since the 16 of last 
Febr 

15th "\;Vas a training in Bedford in the afternoon and at it I paid 
William Kennedys 5 Dollars four of which he charged for makeing a pair 
of shoes for myself last faul the forenoon I got seed a plow from james 
Wallace that he made for me and David and Alex'' helped him the fore- 
noon 

16"' I got plates from Shed that he made for the plow he made them of 
my old seed Shear and the boys and I went to the little meadow and 
mowed some and spread the hay and brot home a load of it 

17"' David and james and Alex'' went to the meadow and David brot 
home a load of hay in the forenoon and in the afternoon David and I 
plowed in the field by my Brors 

19"' I Divided Tho' Townsends Isaac Atwoods and Simeon Chubbucks 
Estate among them and -writ 2 Deeds for them and took the acknowledge- 
ment I charged them 7-4-0 Townsend and Chubbuck paid me 4-10-0 and 
Atwood owes me 2-14-0 and the boys mowed some and dryed some at the 
meadow and brot home a load the forenoon they plowed in the field by 
my brors 

20"' we sowed our Tiu-nip seed it was a Great Rain the forenoon 



404 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

21^' 22*1 & 23'' We brot home a load of laay each day aud the reniaiuder 
of the time I plowed the field by my brors 

24th J -^ent aud brot home half the tun of hay from Hugh Orrs that Bob 
got of him. 

26*^ went and brot home the other half of hay from Orrs and I brot a 
load from the Little meadow which is the seventh from the little meadow 
this year and David butcliered oiu* Patterson Cows calf it weighed about 
12 £ pr quarter 

27*'^ Ensn Chubbuck set 2 shoes on my horses fore feet and he piit a 
peice on the point of each of 3 syckles and I paid him 2 Dollars to be settled 
afterwards and David and Alex'' brot a load of hay from the Little meadow 
being the last of what we had mowed 

28"^ I went to Amherst to attend the Probate Coui't but no person come 
to do any business but one man to settle his acct and he was not quite 
Ready and I got 2 Hats from Mr Kimbell that he had made for me of the 
fur I took to him last Pi'obate day he charged me 15 £ for makeing them 
and I paid him 9-12-0 of it and the Remainder I owe him and I got J^ of 
a pound of peper from Means for which I paid him 20/ my Expences of 8/ 
one Dr Joseph Bartlett of Salisbury and one Jonathan Weare of Andover 
that Col: Nichols and I Qualified as justices paid my Dinner 

AUGUST 5th 

we finished Reaping we have 41 stooks and 9 sheaves in all we have 
Reaped since Probate day except fowle weather in which time I plowed 
1% day in the iTpper field we have got two fulls of a glass bottle of Rum 
from Chandler while we were Reaping 

6*1^ James and David went to the little meadow and Alex' aud I plowed 
in the upper field in the forenoon and the afternoon I brot home a load of 
hay of what the boys mowed in the fornoon the rest we cocked 

7"' Alex"' and I plowed about % the day and it came on Rain and piit us 
off from plowing aud David and james thrashed Stooks of Rie 

12*'^ we finished plowing the upper field aud in the afternoon David aud 
Alex harrowed in the field by my Brors 

13"^ I brot a load of hay from the little meadow 

14th X brot two load from the Meadow and the boys got a quart of Rum 
from Chandler 

15"^ Mr Wheeler preached in Bedford 

16''^ I brot home two load from the little meadow 

17th I drawed a Complaint and Warrant for John Manahau against 
Barnabus Mclunosh and james Moor I would not charge anything but he 
throwed down a 20 Dollar bill and would not take it again for all that I 
could urge 

19"^ I brot home the last load of our hay from the little meadow I have 
seventeen load in all this year there 

20"^ I gave Zechariah Chandler 40/ to give the post for the next three 
months of the Worcester news paper 

21'*' I workt some at makeing a short body for our Cart 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 405 

23'^ I went to Jacob McGaws at John Manahaus desire to try his Case mth 
Baranabas Mcluuosh and janies Moor the 3 cases were Entered before 
Esqr Underwood Little and me the parties agreed the affair themselves 
Mr Claget gave us his fees that was taxed for his pleading before ns I had 
ten Dollars Underwood nine and Little seven Little divided the money 

24"^ I got two new cydar barrels from Isaac Atwood at 10 Dollars apeice 
or % a Dollar the old way he owed me nine Dollars toward them the rest 
I owe him and I took them to Deacon Littles and got one of them filled 
with cydar lacking about two pailful from Amaziah Polard to be paid for 
by Susannas wea\T.ng a coverled 

25"^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst the Regr did not attend I 
granted 1 Adiur all the business the fees 30/ my Expences was 18/ I bot 2 
ounces of Tea from Doctor Stevens for which I paid 31/ 

2&-^ was a gi'eat Rain and I writ a deed from John Little of Halifax to 
Rob' Willey and took the acknowledgement for which they paid me four 
Dollars 

27 & 28*'^ we workt at geting our hay out of the Meadow it was much 
flowed it was very bad work 

30*^ we finished mowing and brot it out of the Meadow without haying 
it and Chubbuck made a new shoe for my horses near hind foot and shed 
made the Nails and set it and the other hind foot shoe the iron was mine 
for the shoe and nails 

3P' I set out for Hillsborough to see Tho** Mordough and I lodged at Mr 
Dimonds in Fraiicistown 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I arrived at Mordoughs and lodged there 

2'^ I got 3 notifications from Esqr Andrews for Deacon Moor and his 2 
sons to attend at Capt Bradfords in Hillsborough to hear a Deposition 
taken the 15th Instant and I came to Lieut Caldwells of Weare and lodged 
there 

3^ I came home my expences was 25/ on the journey 

gth J -vvorkt at the Bridge on Piscataquog and we finished cuting our 
Stalks 

IQtii I was Ruuing lines for Capt McLaughlin and Zechariah Chandler 
at the land they bot of Samiiell Patten and Sigourney but did not finish 

11"» I was on the same business for McLaughlin and Chandler % the 
day but did not finish & we got a bushell of our Indian corn ground 

14"' I sowed 4 bushell of Rie in the field by my Brors and set out by 12 

Clock for Hillsborough to get Tho' Murdoughs Deposition in Deacon 
Moors case and mine and I lodged at james Grahams in Derring 

15^'' went to Capt Bradfords in Hillsboro and Esquire Andrews took his 
Deposition and Deacon Moor attended I gave the justice 6 Dollars for his 
trouble and Murdough would not take any pay my Expences at Captain 
Bradfords was 8 Dollars and I came to Francis Dimonds and lodged there 

16"^ I came to John Manahans and I got 2 £ of Red wood I paid 6 Dol- 
lars of the price of it and the Remainder I owe my Expences above what 

1 was at Capt Bradfords was 4 Dollars on the journey 



406 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

17"^ I took our Taz Cow to John Craigs iu Goflfestown to pasture and we 
got 1 J^ biishell of new corn and as mncli Rie ground 

21** I sowed out the Uper field I have sowed 7 bushell on what we fel- 
lowed of it we have sowed 5 Vo bushell on the field by my brors 

25*h I got \}4. bushell of Rie gi-ound and as much Indian gi-ound at Sam- 
uell Moors Mill 

37"^ I borrowed 2 hundred Dollars from my bror Samuel 

28* I went to Amherst to the Superiour Court in the between Deacon 
Moor and me and I had Col: Goff'e and my james Robert and David there 
as Evidences and I gave Mr Livermore 90 Dollars as a fee 

39th -yyg attended Court it was Rrobate Court my part of the fees for 
last Probate day was 3-12-0 five Dollars I Reed last Probate day and the 
other 7 Dollars I Reed 

3let -^g all attended Court and I Reed 21-9-0 from the County Treasurer 
which was due to me on an acct which was settled last January Court and 
Reed an order then to get the money 

OCTOBER FIRST 

we all attended Court and my case was continued by Reason of Col: 
Thornton would not sit in the case and I Reed two Dollars from james 
Moor for my takeing the acknowledgement of a Deed for his bror in law 
Tho' English last Spring and I paid Mr Kimbell 18 Dollars the Remainder 
of what I owed him for makeing two hatts for me this summer my Ex- 
pences at Smiths was 11-19-0 and Col: Gofifes was 3-5-0 which I paid and 
my Expences at Hildreths was 1-16-0 and I gave the boys 50 Dollars to- 
ward their Expences and we all come home 

4th I "v^ent to New boston to james Cairns paid the Tax and charge on 
No in the 2d Rang in Bedford for the year 1777 it amounted to 8-()-10 
of which I paid 3 £ and I paid John Mauahans wife 5 Dollars the Remain- 
der of the price of two £ of Redwood I got from her the Ifith of last Septr 
and I got a pound of Tobacca from her for which I paid 12/ and I came to 
W™ Rogers and I got 3 £ of Shugar and 2 £ of Coffee for which I paid 
4-4-0 my Expences was 24/ on this journey 

7th I went to Mrs Weutworths in Merrymac to take the proof of her 
husbands will but Jonathan Warner Esqr the only surviving witness did 
not come and I came home iu the Evening 

gth ]yi;j.g Wentworth sent Mr Goodin for me and I went to her house and 
Mr Warner was come and I took his Oath to the will and I got home by 
night I proposed to take my pay iu Corn to which she consented. 

14*'^ we began to dig the first of our potatoes and I writ a deed to Lieut 
Starret of fifty acres in Dunbarton belonging to Eliz"^ Messey which he 
sold by a license from the Superiour Court Hasadiah Woodbuiy and Sam^^ 
Garvin and I took the acknowledgement for which they paid me four 
Dollars and Starrett paid me 8 Dollars for what I assisted at the Vendue 
of her laud last winter and writing the deeds 

15th I went to Londonderry to assist Mary McMurphy in her case with 
William Thompson and his wife I came home the 18th and I got Q}4 yards 
of woolen cloath of Alex McMurphy at 18 Dollars pr yd to make a pair of 



I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 407 

breeches for Rob* and a jacoat and breeches for Alex'' he gave a yd and a 
half for Alex breeches and the other 5 yds he charged to be paid in a 
bushell of Rie pr yd and his mfe sent 3 £ of shugar and as much coffee in 
the saddle bags without my knowledge and she gave me some peper and 
Rob' McMurphy gave me 2 dry Codfish my Expences was Dollar for fer- 
riage 

2i8t -\ye made our Cydar we had 3 barrel 

19*'^ James Vose paid me 21 Dollars for my being an Evidence in his or 
the towns "svith W" OaldwSll 

23'! David and I and the 4 oxen and the Cart work at the highway be- 
tween and Sheds and james workt for himself 

25"' Alex' McMurphy Samuell and james Patterson and I workt at our 
eel place geting rocks out that had come in one was so large we had to 
drill it for blowing it but did not finish McMurphy and I pd our Expences 
being 24 Dollars I ^vrit a Deed from William Low to Sam" Moor and I took 
the acknowledgement for wich Moor is to pay me 4 Dollars and the same 
hands workt at our Eel place and Hacket workt with us awhile near eve- 
ning and Hacket paid 4 Dollars being Expences we were at after he came 

27''' I attended the Probate Coui't at Ajnherst my part of the fees was 
5-9-0 my Expences was 28/ I bot a chamber pot and a Mug from Doer 
Stevens for which I paid 32/ 

38"' we diged potatoes 

29"^ we finished diging our potatoes 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

David went to his uncle Alex' and took 20 bushells of potatoes and 2 
bushell of Turnips to him and Merril gave the f errage inasmuch I gave the 
potatoes and Turnips and sending them 

2*1 when we got up in the morning it was Snowing considerable fast and 
continued till the ground was all covered over 

^^ I went and Run lines for Abel Turril part of wich joined on Joseph 
Houstons for which Turril paid me 8 Dollars and Houston 7 and I went to 
Jacob McGaws at Rob' Giffius desire to assist in takeing a deposition in 
perpetiiam concerning his tendering John McConohe some money but they 
had agreed the affair before I got there Giffin is to pay me 

4"^ the boys and I fitted at the shade And we got the cattle all tied up 

5"' David and Alex' and I and the 4 oxen and Cart workt at and the 
highway between and Sheds 

()"' Da-sdd and Alex' and I and the 4 oxen and Cart workt at the highway 
by Chandlers and between there and Martins which paid all my highway 
Rate and }4 a day of a hand and 3 days of my Cart over 

8"' I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for sam^' Henry from Majr 
Goffe for taxes for the year 1778 for which he paid 12/ and he paid me for 
takeing acknowledgement of a Deed from james Cairns 12/ more and he 
paid me 7-4-0 as priusaple for Cairns and 2/8 Intrest on it from the 5th of 
last July and I wi-it a power of attorney for Joseph Mathies from his bror 
Hugh and I took the acknowledgement and I would not take pay for it 



408 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

9^^ The boys Carted out the dung iu the baru yard and I made a Crib 
for the horse 

10"i I went and brot home our Cow from John Craigs she had been there 
7 weeks and 5 days he charged me for 7 weeks pastureing at 4 Dollars pr 
week which I paid him and the Cow proved Tm-bnleut and lamed my left 
ancle and both hipps 

11th young Sam" Patten butchered our Cow that I brot home yesterday 
and jos helped our boys in butchering The hide weighed 44>^' and the beaf 
276 I continued so lame I could not go out to see them 

12'^ I spent the day in framing a draft of Hugh Jamesons will 
IS^i^ I new drawed his will over with some alterations for forms sake 
and \^Tit a line to him to let him know I had done it and sent it to Esqr 
McGregores by my james I charge two bushell of corn 

15"^ we went to Sam^i Moors and got all our logs on the ways and all But- 
ted Except 5 we have 32 pine to saw and one oak for studs we brot home 1 
stock of boards and some joise 

le*'^ we took 41 bushell of potatoes to Mr Shed he is to have 30 bushell of 
them the other 11 we are to have ourselves and took them there to keep 
them from freezing and we brot home 2 load of wood 

17tii I got a side of sole leather from Stephen French that weighed 12 £ 
and I picked pine over Piscataquog on the common land where we loged 
last winter and the boys picked 3 jags at home 

18*'^ I carried a letter to Elisha Lincoln for to get a pair shoes made for 
David and I took 2 bushell of corn and a bushell of Rie to Sam" Moors 
mill and got it ground and Mr McVea come here to Taylor 

20"^ Shed made two new shoes for my horses fore feet of his Iron and 
set them and David got his shoes from Elisha Lincoln but they did not suit 
him and jamey got them 

22<i The boys made a fence at the Barn for a yard and fitted at the 
Howvel and I went to Mr. Alexanders and Squared and braced Susannas 
Loom 

23<i james Rob* and David went to No 8 in the 3d Rang and I went to 
Samuel Moors Mill with the Team and took 2 bushell of corn with me and 
got it ground and I brot home IJ^ stock of short Boards with me Sam" 
Moor had taken the other half to the amoiiut of 126 feet my half was not 
so large no of feet 

24'^^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst my part of the fees was 
3-13-4 the Register paid me 5/ over my Expeuces was 18/ 

25''! I went up to the Boys mtli team and took 13 boards in number with 
me about 160 feet and I tarried over night 

26"^ we workt at building a Camp it began to Snow toward Night and I 
sett off toward home it snowed on me all the way home next morning the 
snow was about 5 inches deep 

27*'> Gan Riddel sent for me to do the writings in settleing his estate I 
spent the day and untill near 10 o Clock at night but did not finish 

29"! I went to Gan Riddels and Drawed his "Will and I got home about 
9 o Clock I propose to take my pay in Corn to which they consented my 
usual iDrice is two bushell of corn a day 



I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 409 

DECEMBER 2d 

To writing a deed for Lieut Boies for which he paid lue 12/ and David 
went to Samiiell Moors mill and got 2 biishell of corn and l)., of Rie 
ground 

3'^ I went to Rob' Bm-us and got }4 £ of allspice and )^ a mug of Sling 
for which I paid him 38/ 

4"^ I granted Guardianship to my bror Sam" for his daughters jane and 
Ann I took no fees but I am to pay the Register his part and discount it 
with him in what I owe him the whole fees is 5-12-6 

6"' I granted GuardianshiiD to John Bell for three of his children (viz) 
John Susanna and Mary the fees 6-15-0 I took the Regr part which is 
4-10-0 and my part I allow to him for some fish time Expences the last 
spring he suttled at Amoskeig and I granted admr on Sam'^ Dickeys Es- 
tate to Rob' Boyd and Alex' Parker the fees 5-5-0 which Boyd paid 

7th J -vvorkt at Shoeing our wood Sled 

gth I -went to Goffestowu to old Mrs McFarlands funeral 

9^^ WAS THANKSGIVEING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED 
STATES BY ORDER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 

11* I spent untill the middle of the afternoon at Chandlers with Esqr 
MacGregore and others examining some of the money W" Palmer had 
paid away and I paid Chandler 11 Dollars to pay the Boston post for the 
papers three months and I had ^4 ^ mug of Tody for which I paid him 10/ 

13*'^ was a meeting of the inhabitants of Merrymac and Bedford at Mr 
Holts to chuse a Represantative Esquire Claget had 37 Votes and Lt Orr 
36 and the Minority called for a poll but Mr Clagets party would not poll 
Orrs party polled and was 41 in number Merrymac Selectmen made return 
that Mr Claget was chose and I Reed 7 Dollars more from james Voce on 
acct of my being an Evidence in his case mth W" Caldwell 

14*^ Col : Goffe Esqr Claget Underwood Macgregeore and me held a 
Court of Examination on W™ Palmer concerning counterfit money 
Esquire Macgregore and me paid what Liquor we had which was six Dol- 
lars apeice and I got home about midnight 

17"^ Shed calked three shoes for my horse at heel and toe and set all 4 
shoes 

18"* yesterday and today and part of the day before I workt at drawing 
a plan of that part of Merrymac which was Sowhegan east and all the 
lotts about 2}i days my charge is two bushell of corn a day which amounts 
to 5 bushell in the whole I did it at Mr Solomon Hutchinson desire 

20"^ I began to draw the plan of Bedford and the lotts for the selectmen 
of Bedford and finished the 27th the forenoon it cost me more than 5 day 
to do it my charge is 10 bushell of Indian corn or the price of it on the 22d 
I went to Rob' Burnses and got 2 £ of shugar for which I paid 12 Dollars 
and on the 24th I attended Gan Riddel funeral and was a pall bearer on 
the 27th I -svrit a deed from Ebenezer Coston to Alex"^ Weatherspoon and I 
took the acknowledgement Coston paid me 3 Dollars for ^v^•iting the deed 
and I took nothing for the acknowledgement only his sowing on a pair of 
soles on a pair of one of my boys shoes last winter 



410 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

28"^ Rob' and David aud oiir 4 oxen helped Morrial to get wood 

29*'* was a stormy day of snow from, the N: E: and I did not go to Am- 
herst to hold the Probate court 

30"* We butchered our two hogs and two Shoats the 4 weighed 468 and 
I borrowed 3^ a bushell of salt from Zechariah Chandler it weighed 39 £ 
and 5 ounces I am to pay it by weight and if it is dirtyer than what I got 
I am to make him such allowance as he thinks will be right 

31"* Alex went to Sam" Moors Mill and got 2 bushell of Indian corn 
ground 

JAJS'UARY 1780 

2«i Sabathday was a great snow 

8<i severe blowing cold 

4 Tedious blowing cold the snow drifted very much yesterday and 
today 

5*'* a very pleasant day aud I went to Sam" Moors Mill and brot home 
the Meal of two bushell of corn and about three pecks of Rie that Alex'' 
took to be ground there on the 1st instant 

6*'* a very tedious storm of snow 

7*'* it snowed and blowed hard all day & drifted 

gth drifted very much no stirring out these days 

9*'* still continues to blow but not so hard the wind all this month be- 
tween North and N: E: 

IQtii We broke out to our wood aud I shoveled snow about the door 

11"* the boys got wood very bad doing 

12*'* Robert David and Alex*" and the 4 oxen broke the path to the River 
road by desu-e of the Siu'veyors altho I had workt my rate out in the faul 
and one half a day of hand and 3 days of my Cart over 

13*'* I went to Rob* Burns and got 3 £ of Shugar and 2 £ of Coffie on 
credit the shu'gar at 6 Dollars and the Coffie at 8 Dollars pr £ 

U'l* Rob* and David and tlie 4 oxen worked for David Moor getiug 
wood 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 14 1780 

In this month Rob* and David and the 4 oxen got wood one days Rob' 
Morril the latter part of the month no storms but the snow very deep and 
the weather very cold aud on the 25th I took the proof of Gan Riddells 
will the fees pd by the execr being 5-8-0 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I Granted Adminr on the estate of Daniell Racket to his bror Ebenezer 
the fees paid by the admr being 5-8-0 nothing material hapened untill the 
14th when I set out for Boston with my old horse aud sley nine turkeys 
and 2 bushell of crauberrys and I got 1}4 bushell of Rie from Stephen 
Lund on Mrs Wentworths acct which I charged her for my two journeys 
to her house the 7th and 8th of last October to take the proof of her hus- 
bands Will aud I lodged at Mr Harods 



MATTHE\y patten's DIARY. 411 

15th I T^vent to Capt: Polards it begau to Raiu wheu I went from Maning- 
and so continued and Encreased till I got to Polards it rained allmost all 
night and thawed the Kith I lay by no traviliug 

17"^ I sold my Turkeys which weighed "9% at 20/ pr £ and the Cran- 
berry at 6 pound pr bushell and my rie Meal at 13-10-0 pr bushell to 
Capt Polard which came to 111-10-0 I abated the 1-10-0 and I got IJ^ £ 
of Tea and 1}4 lbs of CofRe and ^o ^ bushell of Salt from him and my 
Expences which was 12-6-0 and 60 £ in money which was 20/ of the 30/ 
back that I gave up the Salt was 18 £ and the 18 £ and the Coffie 2-14-0 
and I bot at Mr Abbots Shop 8 £ of Shugar at 4 Dollars pr £ and set out 
for home and got to Hobards and lodged there 

18'^ I got home near daylight down my whole Expences on the journey 
was 20-13-0 and I carried my home provision for myself and provender for 
my horse 

21"' I "WTit a Deed from Rob' Wilie to his bror james of his half of the 
place where they live in this town they paid me 8 Dollars for the Deed and 
the Acknowledgement 

22'i I went to Amherst expecting that the Superiour Court would sit but 
it did not and lodged at Mr Smiths 

23'i I attended the Pi'obate Court the whole fees were 38 dollars I took 
the acknowledgement of a Deed for Alex'' Parker for which he gave me 6 
Dollars and I went to the Goal house to try a case between one Odell and 
Francis Lovejoy they settled the matter themselves the gave me 20 
dollars for my Trouble and I lodged at Mr Smiths 

24*1^ I came home my Expences was 20 Dollars 

The Remainder of the month I workt at coopering 

MARCH FIRST 

I Run the line between Rob* Morril and Joseph Bell I charged them 14 
Dollars and Bell paid me the half of it and Morril promised to pay the 
other half 

4"' I attended on the selectmen more than half the day and I swore 
them and Major Goffe six diferant Captions to go to the General Court I 
shall charge them 20 Dollars and Samuel Smith of Goffestown brot me half 
a Quire of Blank Deeds from Exeter the price was 20 Dollars I gave him 21 
Dollars I workt at Coopering untill the 13th when I finished makeing this 
winter two washing tubs two Kegs seven pails and two Funels 

14"^ I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for John Gardner the fee 
unpaid a went to oui- Camp and tarried untill the 18th in which time I 
taped about 50 Maple trees I made about 1 £ of shugar 

2 let I went to Newboston to arbitrate between Sam^i Nutt and David 
Scobey we were on the business untill the 24th when we adjourned till the 
2d Tuesday of June next and I came to james Caldwells and lodged there 

27"' I signed a wart for the Selectmen to carrie Samuell Moors black 
woman to Portsmouth and I went to John Burns and writ a deed to Rob' 
and took the acknowledgement of it and I WTit a Quitance for Rob' to 
sign to his fathers Estate and another to his father for Rie and james 
Mann gave me 16 Dollars for a Summons and Notification &c 



412 MATTHEW patten's DIAK?. 

29*'^ I atteuded the Probate at Amherst the Register had not recovered 
out of the small Pox so as to attend the Amount of the fees out of what 
business I did amounted to 38-0-6 and I Reed 7-17-6 from Majr Abbott 
over for Guardianship he paid for 4 children some time ago that he did 
not pay for when he was apointed my Expences was 2-17-0 

30* I went to Capt William Barrons and I took the acknowledgement 
of Lucy Barron of the deed she gave to John Bell and I writ a summons 
for Rob* Ushar in his sous Abijahs case with John McClenche I am to take 
depositions at Timy Taylors the 7th of April next yesterday I bot a black 
silk Handkerchief of my James with his money at Means for which I paid 
65 Dollars and I got a Quire of paper for myself for which I paid 15 Dol- 
lars 

3P* David and I went out to our camp and got 18 pails of sap all froz 
into ice 

APRILL FIRST 

we got about 8 pails of sap 

3<i I took 6 Depositions for james Mann in his Case with Morrill and did 
other witings in their affair and I took the acknowledgement of two deeds 
of Asa Barns for which he paid 5 Dollars 

4*^ Alex'' and went to oiir Camp and got 21 pails of Sap with 9 pails 
david left there last night I boiled away fit for shugaring the sun 1% ov 
two hoiu's high next morning when I shiigared it I had I siippos about 10 
£ of the 30 pails of Sap 

6*^^ I came home in the Evening 

7*11 J went Timothy Taylors in Merrymac and 8 Persons Depositions in 
Abijah Usliars case agt John McClenche Rob* Ushar paid my Expences 
and I charged him three bushell of corn which he promised to pay 

8'^ I came home about the middle of the day 

lO"* I measured 7 Sticks of Oak that David hauld to the river in Mar- 
tins field there was 8 tuns and 6 feet of it without any allowance for De- 
fects 

11"* Shed Sharpened my Seed plow irons and upsett an ax and mended 
my shovel by Rivet Nails 

12"* I was much out of case and got a little sweat but not anymore than 
was forced 

13*^ was some better biit still very poorly 

14"* the Selectmen came here and Moses Barron and John Stuart gave 
them a deed for Samuell Fugard of the home lott No 27 They paid me 14 
dollars which was 4/ over what I charged and I could not give them the 
change was some better today 

Continued but poorly all along 

20"* I got Yz a bushell of peas from Wilham Moor up the River for which 
I paid him 25 Dollars 

21^' David and Alex'' helped John Wallace raft the afternoon and I got 
wyths for Rafting Davids timber and John Moors pine logs at Goffes 
ferry 

22<i Wallace and his hands & his son in law Moor and us Rafted Davids 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 413 

7 sticks of Oak which made 8 Tun and 6 feet without any allowance and 

8 pine logs Wallace is to take them down and make the best he can of 
them and to pay himself out of it and the afternoon we all went and 
Rafted John Moors logs at Goflfes ferry 

24'i> I split 60 white pine Rails 

35"* I sowed 19 fulls of our large stone mug of Wheat David Scobey gave 
it to us a present and I sowed half a bushell of peas that I got of W'" Moor 
and I split 38 white pine Rails 

2Bth WAS FAST BY ORDER OF CONGRESS THROUGH THE 
UNITED STATES 

38"* I sowed ,^4 of a bushell of flaxseed at home and I carried a peck to 
Sam" MacFarland for him. to sow for us and David went with the Oxen 
and Cart for the things at the Camp and I took a acknowledgement of a 
Deed from Whitefield Gillmore and his wife and John Dunlap and his wife 
to Col Moor and of another Deed from Sam'^ McFarland to his Mother 

MAY FIRST 

I ^vrit a Deed from John Bell to Nath^i Williams of his place in Newbos- 
ton and a mortgage of it back to him and I took the acknowledgement for 
which they paid me 30 Dollars and Alex*^ went to Holts mill and got two 
bushell of Indian corn ground 

2"^ I' writ a Deed from Nathan Shed to Stephen French of Sheds place 
and took the acknowledgement Ensign Chubbuck Sen'' is to pay for it by 
agreement and in the afternoon I attended the Funeral of Capt McLaugh- 
lins son John who Departed this life yesterday about Ho Clock of I sup- 
poss of the Galloping Consumption 

3"^ I went to the Little meadow and upsett the posts in my part of the 
fence between Lieut Smith and me and supported them up vntli crotches 
and picked up some limbs that were fell down and some Rails that were 
flooded about on the meadow 

4'^ I went to Sam'' Moors and we settled for his sawing what logs we 
hailed on the ways last Summer he sawed six of them into clapboards and 
he sawed 6 for me for them the Remainder being 53 made of Boards and 
Slit Work 10583 feet he has got 3360 feet and has 3031 feet to take of them 
yet he gave me the Sawing of a log of Red Oak for studs 

gth I went to the Little meadow and picked up the old posts and Rails 
at the north end of the Chandler lot and about 30 rails on the south side of 
the dispute lott on the upland and carried some posts to the upland out of 
the meadow 

8"* David and Alex'' and I went with the Oxen and Cart to the little 
meadow and Carted the Rails that I picked up on the 6th to the north side 
of the dispute lott and layed them from tlie meadow to the N: W: corner 
and posts Ready for setting up and we brot about 30 New Rails to help 
make up and it came on Rain and we came of and we got a barrel of Cydar 
drawed off from Rob* Alexander which Susey says she will pay 

9"' the forenoon I went and assisted Mr Sheds to load their goods to go 
to Goffestown They gave Alex'^ a pig and in the afternoon I went and Set 



414 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

up 17 lengths of post and Rails between james Smith and me on the north 
side of the dispute lott 

IQth I went and sett up the Remainder of the posts and Rails I have 
made from the west end to the brook which he proposes to be for my part 
to make and maintain from the middle of the East end to the N: E: corner 
and the north side of the Dispute lott 

11*1^ I worked at geting posts to make the fence by Sheds 
12'^ we got word in the morning that my wife had fell and Strained her 
ancle at Deacon Moors and David went with the Oxen and Cart and brot 
her home and I workt at the posts 

18"^ I went to James Moors in Goffestown and I got three pints of Rum 
to bath my wifes ancle for which I paid him 6-15-0 and David hauled the 
posts that I got there was 54 of them and 23 Rails 
15*'^ I made a pair of Bows for our oldest oxen 
16th 17th & igth I sett up the posts and Rails by Sheds old place 
19th "VVas a Thunder shower in the morning and was followed by an uncom- 
mon darkness such as is not remembered it was so dark That one could 
not Imown a man but at a small distance and Were obliged to keep a light 
in the chimney to see to go about and the night was Extraordinary dark 
untill one o Clock that a person could not see their hand when held up 
nor even a white sheet of paper the day and night was cloudey the clouds 
in the day did not seem thick and was of a lightening up couler our 
almanack makers have given no account of the matter the cause unknown 
The works of the Lord are great and marvellous past finding out untill he 
Graciously pleases to Reveal them 

20"! I got a bushell of Corn from William Moor up the river on Joseph 
Sanders acct of what he owes me and I got it Ground at Sam^' Moors 

22<i I butchered Suseys heifers Calf it weighed 37 £ and I went to Enoch 
Batons to see if I could trade with him for salt but could not 

23'! & 24"! I made up the fence about our last years Cow yards and 
fitted them for plowing 

25''^ I went out to our Camp and the horse got off his Bridal and went 
off and I looked for him till night but could not find him 

26'^ looked for the horse but could not find him and I planted 43 hills of 
potatoes at the Camp and yesterday and today the boys planted some 
potatoes by Sheds old place 

27'^ The horse was at home in the morning and I went and got 4 
bushells of corn from widow Riddel for my doing the ^vritings of the set- 
tlement of his Estate last Novr and I took it to Samuell Moors mill and 
got it ground and I went to the falls and got 8 Shad from John Clogston 
who has fished my Right at the stage all this week by the halves he gave 
me an account of 55 he had got beside what he got the first three days 

29"^ Da\dd went to the falls and I went up in the afternoon and David 
got 10 shad and I gave james Dokes folks 2 and Mclntoshs one and 
Frenches one and I brot 6 home 

30"^ I went to Litchfield to see our james we heard he was Sick which 
acct was not true and in the Evening I went to the falls and got 6 shad 
from David 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 415 

3P' I weut to Amherst aud attended the Probate Court and I fell about 
15 £ in the Regr Debt of what fees I had Reed more than he Reed since last 
Novbr which was the last time we were both together at probate my 
Expeuces was 4-10-0 and I bot six £ of Tobacca from Doctr Stevens for 
which I paid him 9 £ 

JUNE FIRST 

I went to the falls toward night I hung two Eels nents before I went and 
Alex'' brot home 3 shad 

2'* David sent home 16 shad and I got 3 shad and David got 8 

3<^ I got 6 one I gave to Sam'' MacFarland and 2 I gave for Cydar and 3 
I brot home David aud I got a hundred Eels this week 

5th I Yfrit a Deed from Susanna and jean Walker to Nathan Shed for 
which they paid me 4-16-0 and I took the acknowledgement for Mr Shed 
to be settled in our acct 

Qth I -went to the falls to fish for Eels but got none 

7'*^ I catched a Salmon that weighed 18 or 20 £ as we Guesed I sold it for 
100 Dollars and bot 12 Rows of pins for which I paid 24 Dollars and I took 
a Deposition for Lieut Hall for which I had 16 Dollars in our Expences for 
it ■ 

8"^ I got a bushell of Corn from james Marrs for my doing some writ- 
ings for him the 11th of Augt 1778 which paid me and I took it to Sam^' 
Moors mill and had it Ground aud David and I went to the Falls and 
fished Eels the night following 

9'^^ I got 18 Eels and David got 28 and 12 the company gave him for his 
hook that was lost my Expences was 8 Dollars at W"^ Karrs 

12''^ I went to the Falls and I got 100 Eels in the daytime and I sent 
them by Alex'^ to Stephen French 

13'^^ last night David and I got 100 Eells and Alex'^ put them off to John 
Mcintosh for Flax to be at the old way which comes to about 17 £ of Flax 
which we are have And I went to Newboston to arbitrate between Sam" 
Nut and David Scobey we were on the business the 14th and 15th when 
we finished I did not join in the award we charged 108 £ apeice for our 
service for which we severally took a note on Demand from Nutt on lut- 
rest and I came home the Evening of the 15th we were 7 days on the Arbn 
in last March and now 

16'h I went to the falls and I got 7 shade at our setting place 

17th The boys got near 60 Eels last night and a shad I got 11 shad 6 of 
them I gave to Isaac Atwood for 11 Dollars I owed him of the price of 
two Barrels that I had from him the 24th of last August and the Remain- 
ing 5 I brot home 

19"! I went to the Falls and I got 3 shad 

20th I -vvent with William McHard of Newbury Port to james Gillmores 
and took his (viz) Gillmores wifes aciknowledgement of a deed for whicdi I 
would take no pay and the Afternoon to Rob' Ushars for tlie 3 biishell of 
Corn he was to let me for takeing Depositions in his sous case last Spring 
but got none 

2P' I gave Mrs Chandler 27 )^ Dollars to give Mr. Bean for tlie News 
paper the present Quarter 



416 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

22*1 I borrowed a bxishell of Indian corn from Sani'^ Moor for which he 
says he intends to have me to Run lines for 

23'! I went with Mr Alexander to his house and took the acknowledge- 
ment of a Deed from Col : Moor to him and he signed a paper for me to 
pass to the Meadow across his land 

24'*i I borrowed 4 biishell of Rie from John Mcintosh which I am to pay- 
after the crop comes off the ground and I took it to Sam^i Moors mill and 
had it 'ground and he let me have the Tole which I am to pay him for 

27*'^ one Noyes of Boscawen Returned the Inventory of his fathers 
Estate and paid 40 Dollars fees I have plowed among the Corn for the 
boys to hoe some days past 

28''^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst the Register gave me 19 
Dollars with the 40 I Reed yesterday and what I had more than my part 
the last Probate day made us even and I bot 8 % £ of Tobacca from Doer 
Stevens for which I am to pay him 20 Dollars and John Hem-y gave me 8 
Dollars a present and I had 40/ for a Citation from Enoch Eastman and I 
bot a Mug at Means for which I paid 9 Dollars and I tari-ied at Smiths 
over night I could not pay my Expences nor dont know how much the 
amounted to 

29*'! I came of in the morning before breakfast and came home 

30"^ I drawed a Complaint and Wart foi- Samuell Trull agt james Hoiis- 
ton for a breach of the peace and an order on Samuell Smiths Petition for 
a Division of land between him and his Bror John 

JULY FIRST 

I copied Sam'i Smiths Petition and order and I went and Run the line 
for John Riddel between him and Townsend and at the west end of 
his land I charged )^ a bushell of corn and he got it for me from his 
Mother and I got 2 )^ bushell of corn from Widow Riddel his mother for 
which I paid 100 Dollars and I took the 3 bushell to Sam" Moors mill and 
had it ground 

3'i I went to William McAUesters and Measured an acre that he sold to 
his bror in law Nathaniel Spafford and writ the Deed and took the 
acknowledgement for which Spafford is to work a day for me and I went 
to Sam^i Moors Mill and got a bushell of Rie that Hugh Jameson brot 
there for me last week toward writing his Will sometime last year 

gth I -^ent to Rob' Ushars for the Corn he owed me for takemg deposi- 
tions in his son Abijahs case he had spoke to Josiah Chamber lin for two 
bushell of it the other bushell Chamberlin let me have on condition that if 
Ushar did not pay him for it I would and I had it ground at their mill 

8'^ I gave Rob' Ushar a summons for 10 E^ddences in his son Abijahs 
case with John McClenche to give their Evidence the 10th 

IQth I went to Timothy Taylors in Merrymac to take the Depositions for 
Ushar and I sit up allmost all night at the Business I lay down some time 
before day 

11"^ I was on the same Business and finished I believe I took about a 
Dozen Dpositions and I got home about dark I charged 8 days on the 
acct of my sitting up in the night 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 417 

13"' I gave Euos McDaniell of Newbmy Port a Notification to Ablirain 
Reed to hear Esqr MacGregore sworn and I took the acknowledgement of 
the Deed for Israel young for which he paid nie 12 Dollar 

15*'i I swore Esqr MacGregore for Mr McDaniells and wrote the Caption 
for which and the Notification he paid nie 20 Dollars 

17th X got 5 £ of Coffie from John Wallace toward the Oak Timber and 
pine loggs he had from tis last Spring being the first article we have got 
in pay of them and Alex' Macmiu'phy came and got away 1% bushell of 
Rie and as much corn of what Bob owes him and his Daughter Sarah took 
away as much of Each sort of grain the 13th Instant 

20"^ we began to Mow at home 

21^' we began to Mow at the Little meadow 

22'' I brot home a Load of hay from the Little meadow 

24* I went with Lt Abrham Reed and took 6 Depositions for him in lus 
Case with Euos McDaniell for which service he gave me 70 Dollars and we 
brot home a load of hay from the little meadow 

25"^ I got a bushell of Salt from John Wallace on acct of the Stuff he 
had from us last Spring and I paid Zechariah Chandler the ^o bushell of 
salt I borrowed from him the 30th of last Decbr and I got 14 jills of Rum 
from Lieut Orr for ^vhich I paid him 28 Dollars 

26"^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst we did only as much bus- 
iness as the fees came to 14 £ my Expences was 22 Dollars which I paid 
and I paid Mr Smith 32 Dollars for my Expences at the Probate court in 
last June and I paid Doer Stevens 20 Dollars for what Tobacca I got from 
him at last June Probate and I got 4 £ of Tobacca from him today for 
which I paid him 30 Dollars 

27 & 28''^ we worked at the little meadow geting hay very hot weather 

29t'i I sowed our Turnip seed in the Cow yards that we yarded Last 
summer 

30th -^y Davison preached in Bedford 

3P' David and I mowed in the meadow at home being the first we 
mowed in it this Summer 

AUGUST FIRST 

we mowed up to the Bridge and then Reaped in the field by my Brors 
we reaped 3 Stooks 

2^1 We Reaped 2 Stooks and the Remainder of the day we took care of 
our hay and got it into cock we had 20 cocks of it 

3'' Mrs Morril helped us Reap her and Alex' and I Reaped 6 stooks and 
David went and got 2 Quarts of Rum from Lt Orr for which he paid 32 
dollars and he carted in the hay 

4'h was Dull weather that We did not Reap 

5''' Alex' and I Reaped 4 Stooks a very hot day 

7"' Alex' and I Reaped 5 Stooks 

f>^^ Daniell Hickey came at noon and Reaped with us the afternoon and 
David got a Gallon of Rum from Lieut Orr on credit 

9"* Daniell Hickey Reaped with us and David Reaped part of the fore- 
noon and we finished Reaping the field by my brors by noon we have 
27 



418 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

311^ Stocks on it this year and we began to Reap in the upper field and 
David Reaped with ns we Reaped 4 stooks 

10"* Daniell Hickey Reaped with iis and John McLaughlin came after 
Breakfast and Reaped we all Reaped 12 Stooks and 9 shaves and David 
butchered janies black lamb 

11*'' Daniell Hickey Reaped the forenoon and gave out on acct of his 
back we Reaped 5 Stooks and 8 Sheaves among us and David and I Carted 
in air the Rie we had Reaped in the whole it made 54 stooks 

12*'* we Reaped 5 Stooks and 4 sheaves ourselves 

14th jyxy Brors John Reaped for us on my james acct we Reaped 7 Stooks 
and 4 sheaves 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGT 14th 1780 

15*'» & IG"' Mrs Morril helped us Reap we finished our Rie the upper 
field produced us 47 Stooks we have 78^^ stooks of Rie in all this year on 
the 15th David layd out 60 Dollars to Lt Orr and 70 to McDole for me for 
Rum of his money 

19* we mowed in the meadow at home 

21*' I had the Rose in my left leg and I got a Sweat and got better and 
the boys workt at takeing care of the hay 

23*1 we went to work at the little meadow to get hay and worked at get- 
Ing hay there the Rest of the week Exceept on the 25th I went in the 
afternoon and Run a peice of a line between Sam'' Gibsons and Alex' 
McColley I charged them a bushell of Rie and McCoUey gave to me home 
with me 

26''' I gave Rob* Ushar a Summons for a number of Witnesses for his 
sons case with McClenche to give their Depositions on Monday next 

28th I -\veut to Timothy Taylors in Mcrrymac and took a number of 
Depositions for Ushar and Set up on the business untill midnight 

29*^' I came home by noon I mean to charge 4 bushell of corn 

W^^ I attended the Probate Court at Amherst the Regr gave me 18 £ 
which was 20/ more than my part of what fees we took my Expences was 
1) £ and I came home 

31^' I sold my 5 Rights in Dartmouth to Capt Joseph Hutchius for 1500 
Dollars and 1300 & a half of flour the money to be paid and the flour to be 
Delivered the last of next Feb'^ 

SEPTEMBER 2d 

David butchered our Weather sheep he weighed 50 £ of meat cloudy 
Rainy Drizley weather this day and the two days past 

3"^ Mr Miltimer preached in Bedford a great deal of Rain fell about the 
middle of the day 

4th y^Q finished mowing at the little meadow 

(jtii \ye finished mowing at home 

?*•» the boys Carted the hay out of the meadow at home and pitched it 
off in the field by the barn to Hay it and young james Houston helped the 
boys to Rake the hay and I went to the little meadow and shaked out 



MATTHEW patten's DlAIiY. 419 

what hay we had there beiug about 73 of a jag and Cocked it after it was 
dry 

8"' I Carted home the last of our hay from the little meadow 
ii'*' we dried our hay at home and got it all in and I writ a Deed and I 
took the acknowledgement from Eben'^ Coston to Carleton Parker Parker 
worked for me the most of the while I was writing Parker is to pay me in 
shugar 

ll"i Alex' and I ciitt and tyed Stalks and David went along with Rob*^ 
to help him cut up and burn on no 13 in the 4th Rang he was with him 
the 8th and 9th Rob^ came home the 30th of August and workt with us 
till the 8th and I cleaned up 6 bushell of Rie and we cleaned up I think 
about 41^ bushell before of this years crop 

12"' I went to Sam" Moors mill with 2 bushell of Rie and had it ground 

IS'"* I went the whole day trying to get a harrow to harrow the Rie in 

on the ground Rob' cleared by Morrisons in the 4th Rang and I took the 

acknowledgement of a Deed Doctor Cutler from Major Goffe to be settled 

in our acct 

14''^ last night and this morning it Rained considerable and the after 
part of the day it was clear and a high wind at the N: W: and I cleaned 
up what wheat we had there was I sui)pos about three pecks of it 
15"i I went out to the boys where they were clearing by Morrisons 
16*'^ Alex and I workt at Stocking and in the afternoon I went to james 
Houstons at his son Isaacs desu-e and writ a Deed from his father to him 
of his fathers place and young jamey workt for me the while I was there 
18"> I went and Run the line between Tho' Lancey and james Thomp- 
son for which Lancey is to Swingle flax for me day after tomorrow 

20"> Lancey came and Swingled a pound of flax but the day was a damp 
air and he went home and I went to Doles to assist them to Divide their 
place 

2P' I was on the same business and finished they paid me 14 £ and 11 
ounces of salt Pork & 5 £ and 2 or 3 ounces of shugar for my 2 days ser- 
vice 

23<i I went to Sam'^ Moors Mill with two bushell of rie and had it 
(jroimd and took leather to james Docks for him to make a pair of shoes 

25"' I went with Alex MacMurpliy to Sam'^ Moors mill to let him have 
two Thousand of boards but did not measiu-e off and but alowed Moor to 
measure them when he come for them aad I got the shoes from Dock that 
he made for me 

2gth I "v^Tent and had my james Rob' and David and Col : Goffe to Am- 
lierst to be Evidences in my case with Deacon Moor there was only two 
judges there besides Col : Thornton and had the case continued by Reason 
that Deacon Moor is Col : Thorntons Uncle by Marriage 
27"' I attended the Proate Court my part of the fees 37-10-0 
28"^ I got Col : Goffes Deposition Relateing my case with Deacon Moor 
taken in perpetuam before Esqr Blan chard- and Col : Baldwin Col : Bald- 
win took 3 £ for his trouble and Blanchard would take no pay I bore Col : 
Goffes Expences which was 20 : 6 : and I gave Mr Livermore 30 £ as a 
fee my own Expences at this time at Amherst was 42 £ I bot a Quire of 



420 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

paper from Meaus for which I paid 12 £ and I hot a quautity of Tobacca 
from Doctr Stevens for which I paid him 10-5-0 eight pounds of it M^as 
weighed and I suppose there was 6 or 7 £ that we did not weigh and I 
gave my james 12 £ and Rob* 36 £ and David 48 £ and I Pd the Clerk of 
the luferiour court 5-8-0 for a Copy of the judgement of my case with 
Deacon Moor and I came home about Daylight down 

29''^ John McLaughlin got 1)4 bushell of Rie on Daniell Hickeys acct 
toward his Reaping for me last stimmer 

30t'> I took 114 bushell of New Indian corn and 2 bushell of Rie to Sam" 
Moors mill and had it ground 

OCTOBER 2d 

I sowed a bushell and abi3ut 10 Quarts of Rie on the land Rob' Cleared 
by Sam" Morrisons and David and Alex'' went to Harrow it in they had Lt 
Gillmores harrow 

S-i they finished and got home by night the harrow was made of a 
Crotch and was cracked and it gave way so that they had to chain it to- 
gether to make it do 

4th I -\veut to Esqr MacGregores and took 3 Depositions for him I would 
not charge him anything for doing it but he threw done a Sixty Dollar 
Bill and would not take it back 

,5th J gathered some corn and beau that gi'owed among the corn a very 
cold day and and Cloudy and Rained some little 

6"> I gathered at the beans and the boys gathered at the Corn in the 
afternoon I ^^Tit a Deed from Ben j" Vickere from him to one William Har- 
ris and I took the Acknowledgement and some Notes for which they paid 
me 35 Dollars 

7th I -y^rit an Instrument from Isaac Houston to his Father of the im- 
provement the half of the half of the lott his father Deeded to him and I 
took the acknowledgement of the Deed and the other Instrument the 
charge which is -3 of a Dollar according to old times is to be settled in our 
acct 

10"* we got in the last of our corn 

ll'i^ I attended administration on the Estate of Josiah Wood late of 
Goffestown to Doer jon'' Fox of HoUis his bror in law he did not pay the 
fees but promised to pay them next Probate day I dated the Bond and let- 
ters of admr back to last Probate day 

IQth I went at Esqr MacGregores Desire to his house and took 4 Deposi- 
tions for him to go to the General Court 

17"' I went and Run lines for William McAllester and ^VTit a Deed from 
him to his bror in law Nath" Spaford and a bond from Spaford to him for 
clearing of land I charged a Dollar the old way which McAllester promised 
to pay me 

Igth I went to Sam" Moors Mill with 2^., bushell of Corn and had it 
ground and I had a pint of Rum from Chandler for which I paid 54/ 

19'h I went to Rob' Ushars and got a pair of Wool Cards toward the pay 
of my takeing Depositions for him in his sons Abijahs Case with John 
McClenche 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 421 

20"! I went to Sam" Moors Mill with 3X bushell of Com aud had it 
groiiud 

'^l^"- I swore David Moor to a Deposition he gave for Esqr MacGregore 
against Doctr Heges 

SS** I set out for Portsmouth for Esqr Macgregore to be an Evidence 
for him at the General Court on a petition he had Prefered agt Doctr 
Heges he found me Capt McLaughlins mare to ride I bore my own Ex- 
pences the Esqr would have given me money to have bore it but I would 
not have it for I want Salt for my Journey and Expences which he said I 
could have I kept at Tobias Warners from Monday afternoon to Wednes- 
day forenoon being Six meals and two lodgeings they would not take any 
pay for it my Expences beside was 104 Dollars I bot things on this journey 
that cost 336 Dol wliile I was from home Alex MacMurphy paid my wife 
200 Dolrs toward the 2000 of boards I let him have and my David and 
Team haiiled the boards to Merrils ferry for him 

26*'' I came home in the afternoon 

27th -^yg finished digiug potatoes by where Shed formerly lived we had 
53 bushell of them 

28*'' it Rained considerable today and the night following 

30*'' I went along with Lieut Reed and took Sam'^ Starkes Wife John 
Reys and W" Nutts wifes Deposition for him in his case with Enos. Mc- 
Daniell for which service he gave me a Spanish Milled Dollar 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

was a Tedious Storm of Snow from the N: E: and the wind backed in 
to the west of North and snowed all day it cleared up some time before 
next morning I drawed the plan of No 11 & 12 in the 7th Rang and of 114 
Third Division and of 76 meadow lott for Lieut james Smith I charged 20 
Dollars which he promised to pay me 

2'' I took 1)2 bushell of Indian corn and as much rie to Sam^i Moors mill 
and got it ground and I went to Esqr McGregores and I bot 3 £ of shugar 
from him for which I paid 30 Dollars and I bot 6,?4 £ of sniif and blader 
from him on credit the old way we talked of a pistereen and half the old 
way pr £ And I let Ezek*i Gardiner have % of a bushell of Rie on Daniel 
Dickeys acct which with the \}4. bushell of Rie John McLaughlin got the 
29th of last September made the 2% of a bushell I owed Dickey for his 
Reaping for me last summer 

S^i I went to McGaws and bot % £ of Indigo for wiiich I paid 70 Dollars 
and I left % a bushell and aboiit a pint of Rie for the Post Mr Bean for 
the present Eleven weeks he proposed to Ride and I came to Holts and I 
got two pounds of shugar from Carleton Parker for the Renuiinder of the 
price of a Deed and the Acknowledg I writ for him the Ninth of last Septi* 
and I got a pound more for which I paid 10 dollars 

4*'' I took 3 bushell of corn to Sam" Moors mill and had it ground 

6*'' I borrowed S% £ of Beaf from Robert Morril and last week we bor- 
rowed 8?^ £ of Beaf from him and today he gave me a Neats tongue And 
Alex MacMurphy i)aid me 200 Dollars toward the boards I let him have 
this faull and I let him have a busliell of Rie toward the cloath we had 



422 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

from this faiill was a year and I paid my bror Sam" 300 Dollars for the 200 
I borrowed from him Septr was a year 

gth -^g diged about 14 bushell of potatoes 

9*"^ I weut to Samuell Moors mill with oiir Team and I took 2 bushell of 
corn with me and had it ground and I brot home about 15 or 16 boards 
with me and we finished diging potatoes we diged about 8 bushell today 

IQth I went to LoudonDerry and took some cotton yarn with me to Mc- 
Kinseys to be put into some Lawn he is to weave for us and I lodged at 
Rob' MacMurphys & I carryed a bushell of Rie to Alex' MacMiu-phys to- 
ward the cloath 

11th X got the bushell of Salt that Alex"' Macmurphy got me toward the 
boards I let him have this faul it came out at 70 £ pr bushell at Newbury 
he brot it to his house in Derry free of charge and I bot 6 £ of Coflfie at 84 
Dollars },i £ of peper at 30 and 4 Rows of pins at 8 and %. and % of yard 
of broadcloath at 1873/2 Dollars from Majr Pinkertou and paid him the 
money I paid for my ferryage going and comeing 6 Dollars and the boys 
got my brors Sam" & John and butchered our Patterson Cow she had 46 £ 
of hide 286 £ of beaf and 14 £ of tryed out Tallow 

13''' I haked up what Boards and Slit work I had at Sam" Moors mill 
and I went and Run lines for Joseph Sanders and David and Nath" Merril 
and. I wi'it two Deeds for them and took the acknowledgements I charged 
them 120 Dollars they paid me the money and I gave it to jos Sanders for 
which he is to give me 4 £ of Cotton 

14"' I Run the lines of the Division of Lieut Gillmores farm in Goffes- 
town amongst the Heirs for which they paid me 100 Dollars 

15"^ I weut and Settled witli Lieut Orr for his Samng Studs and Braces 
for me Spring was a year which amounted to 1072 feet and the logs that 
we hauled to his mill last winter made boards to pay him the 1072 feet 
and 1346 feet over that my half of them is 673 feet which I am to get from 
him when I call 

16"' I workt at the highway helping to R(>pair the Bridge over Piscata- 
quog and that by Majr Goffes 

17*'' David and Alex'" cleaned up S)^ bushell of Rie 

20"' I sowed 3 bushell and 10 Quarts of Rie on the corn ground above 
the Barn 

21^' David Sowed a bushell and 3 quarts of Rie north of the house and I 
went to Chester to give Evidence in the case between John Hall and his 
bror Thomas I went on Tho'* acct and I went to Majr Tolf ords and lodged 
there 

22'^ a heavey storm of Snow and Rain I lay by 

23'i I came home my Expences was 16 Dollars 

25th i' -writ a Quitclaim Deed from the other heirs Lieut Rob' Gillmore 
to his widow of her half of his Estate which he gave her by his Will 

27th I went to Esqr MacGregores and w^ith him determined a case Be- 
tween John Taggarts Daughter Cristen Compt and jerediah Pattes wife & 
Daughter Lavinia Respts we fined them 4 £ each and cost of prosecution 
our part of the feas was 13-10-0 he gave me 8-14-0 of it and the fine I 
took 3 bushell of corn to Sam" Moors mill 



MATTHEW patten's DlAllY. 423 

38*** I Divided James Moors place iu Goiiestown aud writ a Deed of the 
half of it to Timothy Kimball and a Deed of Kimballs pla(!e at Mistick 
farm to him and I took the acknowledgements they did not pay me I am 
to writ a Security from Kimbell to Moor for the half of the crop of what 
he Deeded to Kimbell for two year and I came home by Sam'' Moors and 
brot home the meal of the corn I took there yesterday 

29th I gQ^ a bushell of Lisbon Salt from Esqr McGregore Toward my 
going to Portsmouth for him last October and I went to a meeting of Mer- 
rymac and Bedford to chiise a Representative my Bror Sam" was chose by 
a unanimous Vote my Expences was four Dollars 

30ti» we got up almost all our Tui-nips and David and Polly set out for 
Chester Polly is intend to stay and help her Uncle Majr Tolfords folks to 
Spin Wool 

DECEMBER FIRST 

I Run lines for Mr Richardson that lives near to Esqr Blodget and Mr 
Abel Wright 

2^^ I Run lines for Sami^ Moor on his Low laud which paid for a bushell 
of Corn I had from hiiu last Slimmer aud some odd boards at the last of 
our Divide of Boards this faul that he let me have 

4*'i the boys got some wood and I went & fell a tree on Joseph Barrons 
land to make fellows for a pair of Cart wheels 

o*"^ the boys aud I with the Team went and hauled them to Lt Orrs mill 
the one log was 17 feet long and the other 26 it was a crotcht tree we had 
a pair of Oxen from Lt Orr to help with the longest stick 

gth I Tjvent to Samii Moors mill with 1}4 bushell of corn aud as much Rie 
and had it gTound and we got 3 £ of shugar from Joseph Bell on credit 

7"» WAS THTANKSGIVEING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED 
STATES BY ORDER OF CONGRESS 

8*"^ I Run lines for Zeccheus Richardson & Abel Wright for what I did 
today and the 1st Instant I charged them 82-8-0 to be paid in Equal 
halves and Wright paid me 15 £ of his half aud afterward I writ a Deed 
from Richardson to Jonathan Wood and took the acknowledgement for 
which and the time I spent mth them on the affair I charged them 40 
Dollars neither of them could pay me which makes Richardsons pai't of 
my whole service 74 Dollars and the Wood pai't of the Deed 20 Dollars and 
Wright is 4 Dollars behind of his part 

9"' I wi'it a Deed from Sarah Barnett to Ensu Chiibbuck Junr of her part 
of her fathers Estate and an Obligation from John Barnett to liim for a 
Deed of his part of his fathers Estate Chubbuck promised to pay me the 
whole 

11'^' We hauled three Sticks of Cherry tree up the bank at Crosbys 
brook 

12"^ I went and got an ash knot out by Asa Barnses 

13"i I got 3 £ of shugar from josc^ph B(!ll for which I paid him 9 £ aud ]. 
paid him 9 £ for tlie 3 £ I had from him Gth Instant and I went out to oui- 
camp that was burned aud brot home thf; Iron things we had there 

15t*' I went with jamcs Cairns and laid off to Col Moor o7. acres of the 



424 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

lott No 82 a 3d Division and allo^yed it to be a days work and we after- 
ward laid oft" to Deacon Moor 27 acres of the lott No 3 in the 11th Rang 
and allowed half a days work for that and in the Evening I vn'it both the 
Deeds and took both the acloiowledgements Cairns is to Receive my pay 
toward what land I bot at Vendue from him and the two Deeds he is to 
allow me in our acct above my 1)4 days service 

16"' I got a quart of Rum from james Tliomi^son for which I paid K! 
Dollars and David and I went with Caii-us to get the land I bot off Capt 
Stinsons but was disappointed by Alexander Gillcrists being from home 

IS*'^ I held a court at Chandlers between Robert Morril Compt and 
David Cargill Houston Respt and Compt Quashed for that in the Compt 
he was called only David Houston I had }4 a mug of Tody for which I 
paid 4 Dollars 

19th I went to Samuel Moors mill with lj4 hushell of corn and had it 
ground and I writ a Deed from Samuell Baruett to Ensign Chubbuck Jun- 
ior and I took the acknowledgement Chiibbuek promised to pay the whole 
and I writ two leases for old Ensign Chubbuck of his wifes 3ds in her late 
husbands Estate in Abington to be paid in Cooper work 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 19th 1780 

20*'i I writ a Deed from Hannah Baruett Sam'^ and Sarah Barnett to 
Ensign Chiibbuck junr and I took the acknowledgements Chubbuck is to 
pay and went and cut an Ash knot in the west end of W" McAUesters 
land 

2P' I went to Sheds to get him to Lay 2 axes for me and tan-ied there 
over night 

22<i Shed laid the two Axes for me and I paid him 110 Dollars and jehn 
McAllester put a new blade in a jack knife handle of mine and I got a 
side of upper leather from Stephen French toward my Cow hide and what 
he owes me 

23*1 It fell about six inches of snow and I put a new handle into one of 
the Axes shed laid for me yesterday 

25'i' there fell a snow of 8 or 9 inches deep in the forenoon I %Arrit a Deed 
from John McConihe to John Aiken junr and took the acknowledgement 
and Notes for which they paid me 37 Dollars and the afternoon and Even- 
ing I writ three Deeds of Quitclaim among the heirs of Lieut Gillmores 
Estate 

26*'* I Avi'it a bond from Timothy Kimbell to james Moor 

30'h I got a Meat Barrel from Isaac Atwood toward which I took three 
bushell of Turnips and the Remainder of the price is to be paid in Turnips 

JANUARY FIRST 1781 

We butchered the pig we got from Mr Shed last May it weighed 111 £ 
and another Barrow he weighed 161 £ And I got 3 £ of shugar from 
Joseph Bell for which I paid him 30 Dollars and I took 1}4 bushell of In- 
dian corn to Sam" Moors mill and had it Ground & I writ a Deed from 
Martha Mclnuosh to Eusn Jonathan Cumings and took the acknowledge- 
ment she allowed Cumings to have the Deed if he would pay the charge 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 425 

of it and I gave Rob' Ushar a summous for some witnesses to take their 
Depositions tomorrow at Timothy Taylors in his sons case with John 
McClenche 

2^ I went to Timothy Taylors and took five Depositions for Ushar 4 of 
them in his sons case and one for himself I got home between Midnight 
and Day break for which he promised to pay me 

3<* I lent old Ensu Chubbuck two Strick fulls of a pewter quart Bason of 
salt 

4"' I went to Amherst and did some Probate business the Register gave 
me 55 Dollars but said it was not my part and I lodged at Mr Smiths 

5t'i I attended the Sessions My Exioeuces was 26-8-0 and I got a thousand 
of Nails for Nailing pail hoops from Mr Fish for old Ensn Chubbuck and 
my self he sent 60 Dollars and I paid SO Dollars for the 1000 I had Morrils 
Mare to Ride over 

6"* I got a small side of Sole leather from james Eaton of IIX £ weight 
I am to pay him in about fom- weeks it is to be 24 Dollars pr £ amounting 
to 270 Dollars 

8"> I got another side of Sole leather from Eaton on condition that if I 
could have sparance where Eaton owed the money I am to keep it if not I 
am to Return it this week & I cleaned 2 bushell of Rie 

9"' I went to Sam^i Moors mill wich two bushell of Rie and i}4 bushell 
of cora and had it ground 

IQth The boys got a load of wood and hauled it to james Doke and cut it 
up at his house for the fire 

11"» David and I went and took 4 Cuts of cherry tree to John Wallaces 
mill and we brot home 50 sticks for studs that we had there that was 
sawed a year ago last spring of white oak and I took the acknowledgement 
of a Deed for a man from Col : Goffes for which the man paid me 8 Dol- 
lars 

12*1' I cleaned 5 bushell of Rie 

13"' I took 4 bushells of my Rie to Nath'i Holt for the 4 bushell I bor- 
rowed from John Mcintosh the 24th of last June to pay for a bushell of 
salt he had from Holt this faul or winter 

15*'' I helped the boys to cut 4 board logs and David with team hauled 
3 logs to the River and I writ a Deed from Amaziah Pollard to Ensign 
Chubbuck junr and I took the acknowledgement Pollard promised to pay 
me for the Deed and I vrrit a Deed from Chubbuck of the same lott to two 
Abington men 

le'i' Ensign Chubbuck come and Signed the Deed I writ for him last 
night and I took the acknowledgement and he paid me 50 Dollars toward 
what writings I have done for him and I writ a Deed for him from John 
Barnett which is the 5th Deed I have ^vrit for him since he began his pur- 
chas in Barnetts Estate 

17"' james Thrashed Rie and David and Alexander got wood and I went 
to Tho^ Boies and borrowed his Timber Chain 

18*'' I took 2 bushell of corn and 1^ of Rie to Sam" Moors mill but could 
not get it ground 

19*'' I went and got the meal of the grain I took to Sam'' Moors mill 



426 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

yesterday and I took 1 y^, bushell of turnips to james Gillmore a present 
and Ensign Chnbbuck and jolm Barnett came and Barnett signed the 
deed I wi'it the 16th and I took the acknowledgt and Chnbbuck gave me 
30 Dollars for it 

30'^ Joseph Patten and his fathers G oxen and W'" McLaughlin and his 
fathers 2 oxen we hailed one oak Stick to the River and then we got Mar- 
tins 4 oxen and hanled another stick to the little bridge after a great deal 
of fatigue and was obliged to leave it there and we went & got another 
oak to the River we broke my Brors and Mr Martins Sleds 

22^1 David mended my brors Sled and I mended Mr Martins and sent 
them both home by night with oui* Oxen 

23<* a tedious Storm of snow from the N. E. it fell a foot deep it drifted 
much 

25**^ I cleaned 13J^' bushells of Rie and my Brors son Joseph helped 
james to Saw some logs off and David broke to the River with the team 
twice 

26"! he went twice to the River with the team and he took our wood 
Sled to Dokes for him to load part of his things to go to Derry 

27"^ David set off with the team for Derry with part of Dokes Goods be- 
fore day break and I sent 2>^ bushell of Rie to Alexander McMurphy 
which is the last of the pay for the Cloath we had from him faul was a 
year and I sent a barrell for Vinigar to Rob' McMurphys 

29*1' I attended at Tho« Boies at the desire of Rob'' Walker to Swear the 
Evidences in the dispute between him and W'" Kennedy concerning some 
upper leather and David came home and brot a Barrel of Vinegar from 
his Uncle Rob* McMurphys 

30*"^ I went at james Underwoods desire to lay off part of John Platts 
Estate to satisfy an Execution on Ohevir had against him and Underwood 
and I tarried at Esqr McGregores over night we could not finish 

31^' Samii Moor and james Thompson and me finished we laid an acre of 
land and the barn my paj- was 100 £ and I paid my Expences they were 
15-18-0 and Col Kelley paid them and tlie Remainder is yet due to me 
being 84-2-0 

FEBRUARY 2d 

I paid Adam Dickey 80-5-0 being the Remainder of the Rates on W'" 
Baruetts heu-s pr james Hidens Verbal order on acct of Sole leather I had 
from james Eaton who owed Hiden 

7th -^g hauled 3 oak sticks to the River and a large yellow pine log and 
my brors sons John and Joseph and their 3 pair of Oxen helped us draw 
two long Oaks and Majr Goffe and his four oxen and W"' McLaughlin and 
his fathers two oxen helped us all day and in the Evening james Underwood 
paid me 84-2-0 being the Remainder that was due to me for my service in 
laying off part of John Platts Estate to Satisfy an Execution the 31st of 
last month 

gth David and our 4 oxen went to draw timber for james Martin for 
Majr Goffes helping us yesterday 

14th I V7ent to Chandlers and got a pint and half of Riim and an Earthen 
Coffee pot on credit 



I 



MATTHEW patten's DIAltY. 42T 

15"' I went to Sheds and got him to make a new Eye for an Ax that 
broke off yesterday of his iron I let him have the old Eye and I could not 
pay him anything for his doing it 

W^ I hewed some at Ranging timber and David took 3 oaks logs to the 
River which contained 112 feet on the 10th Instant I paid james Hiden 
180 £ for james Eaton which paid the two sides of Sole leather I had from 
Eaton this winter viz on the 6th and 8th of last January and Dollars 

over and Hiden Endorsed the note to me And yesterday I got a bushell of 
Indian corn from Zechariah Chandler toward my Services with him and 
the other heii's of his fathers Estate in showing them their lands in this 
town and Runing lines for them Several years ago which he was to pay 

19'h I got two Earthen Platers from Zechariah Chandler on credit and 
David Cargill Houston made 45 board nails for me of my iron I did not 
pay him anything for makeing them and Alex'^ took two bushell of Rie to 
Sam'i Moors Mill but could not get it ground 

20"* Robert went and brot home the meal of the Rie that Alex'' took to 
mill yesterday And james and I went to Capt Chamberlins with the Team 
and I got 16 Bushell of Indian corn on credit I am to pay it when I make 
a turn of the timber the boys and I have got to the River it is 60 Dollars 
pr bushell I had 12 bushells of it ground at his mill and 4 of it I brot home 
unground and I had }4 a bowl of W: I: tody at McGaws for which I paid 
Six Dollars 

21^' I sent Alex'' to Joseph Bells and got 2 £ of Shugar of which he paid 
1 1 Dollars and the other 9 I owe him 

26'-'' I went to Chandlers and took 7 Depositions for Majr Goffe in his 
case with Dolton I made no charge 

27*'' I went to Amherst to attend tho Siiperior court on my case with 
Deacon Moor the Deacon was lame and the case was continued and I 
lodged at Smiths & I attended on a case of Refferance by order of the 
Inferiour coui't between John and Adam Johnson and Rachel Sewel as 
attorney for her father gave me a Silver Dollar toward my Expences 

28"' I was detained an Evidence in Goffes case with Dolton and I came 
as far as Capt Love joys and lodged there my Expences at Smiths was 
16-10-0 and at Doer Stevens 3-6-0 and at Capt Lovejoys 7-16-0 and I got 
40 Dollars of Probate fees and the Regr and I settled for what fees each of 
us had Reed at om- houses and at Amherst and I had my part and some 
little more I cant say how much and I came home 

MARCH 3d 

I went to Tho* Boies and settled vsdth the selectmen for my Drawing a 
plan of Bedford for them and some other services I had charged them 13 
bushell of corn we settled it at 40 Dollars pr bushell which came to 156 £ 
they gave me an Order on Capt McLaughUn for the money which 
answered my Rates to him with twelve Dollars I had given him in cash 
and 50-18-10 over 

5"' Capt McLaughlin paid me the ballance of my order Except 3 /lO which 
wo could not make the change for whicli I gave him and I went to Sam" 
Moors mill with two bitshell of Rio and had it ground and I writ a Bond 



428 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

for Ensii Chubbuck juur from Molly aud Sam^^ Baruett to liiiii & a uote to 
be paid by Chubbuck 

6'^* I set Gilt for Almsbury ferry to get A bushell of Salt and 32 £ of Cot- 
ton wool from Joseph Tylor being the Remainder of the price of what timber 
and logs Da^id got last winter and lodged at Majr Tolfords 

7"^ was a tedious snow storm from the N : E : aud the wind very high 
and Drifted much 

S^^ set out and arrived at the ferry in the Evening and lodged at Mr 
Pearsons Tavern 

9"' I got the bushell of Salt and the 3.2 £ of Cotton from Tylor and came 
to Mr Chases and lodged there 

10"' I came home my Expences was 119 Dollars I traded a bunch of fine 
thread my -wife sent with me for 4 £ of Coffie and ^4 ^ bunch for 24 Dol- 
lars toward my Expences at Mr Chases and bot 6 £ and 10 ounces of 
Coffie for which 78 Dollars and I bot a pair of yarn stockings for which I 
paid 40 Dollars 

12"* I went to Mr Holts and from there to Mr Alexanders after a pair of 
Tow Cards that Robert Ushar had got for me for my takeing Depositions 
for him and his son Abijah Alexander had brot them to his house and I 
got them there 

13"^ I paid Mrs Chandler a pound of Coffee I borrowed from her a fort- 
night or three weeks ago and I borrowed the full of our Shugar dish of 
shugar from her 

14tii Morral brot us 3 % £ of shugar from Majr McQuestons I had sent 
30 Dollars with him and the shugar came to 2 Dollars more which I paid 
him 

23'! I went to Sam^i Moors Mill with 3 bushell of Rie and had it Ground 
aud had Moi'rill Mare to carrie it and I went to Esqr McGregores and had 
I'o a Mug of Tody I paid two Dollars of the price the other two we could 
not make change to pay it The boys and have worked at geting Ranging 
timber we have got 6040 feet Board measure to the River this morning 

24tii I went to Lieut Orrs mill and sticked up a stock of boards he sawed 
he said they measured 490 feet but he called them 450 we got a stock from 
there day before yesterday that measured 390 he called them we have a 
log that they were sawing when I was there that Orr is to have in pay 
toward the two Stocks we have got and out of what boards was comeing 
to me of what he Sawed last spring I have ordered him to let Nathaniel 
Patterson have 400 feet the Remainder being 329 feet he is to have toward 
the two Stocks we have got now 

26"' we had one of our Steer calves Died 

28"' our old Horse Died 

31^' And the 29th we hailed as much Ranging timber to the River as 
made with what we had liauUed before 7505 feet and Eben' Hacket 
Returned the Inventory of his brors Estate and paid me 40 Dollars for it 

APRIL 2d 

A very heavy storm of Snow from the Northeast it fell about a foot 
deep 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 429 

3<^ stormed on of Snow and Rain and I granted Gnardiansliip of Stephen 
Woods to James Vose lie paid the fees being 40 Dollars 

yth I -went to Amherst and attended the Probate Court and lodged at 
Mr Smiths 

6"^ Did some probate business and attended on the sessions and the Regr 
and I Settled for what fees we Reed Since Janry Term I had Reed 48 £ 
and my part came to 53 £ more which he paid me and I paid Mr Smith 
my Expences which was 18 £ and bot 3^ £ of peper and a Gimblet from 
Mr Means for which I paid him 42 Dollars and I came to Capt Lovejoys 
and lodged there 

7"' I came home in the forenoon my Expences there was 10-1(5-0 ON 
the 5th my brors sou Joseph and young Sam^^ Vose helped David and 
Alex'' to butcher our Sow she weighed 240 £ and the afternoon they 
swingled flax the helped us on Tho^ Lanceys acct for my service I had 
done for him 

S'h I attended on laying off a peice of John Platts estate to satisfie an 
Execution to one Chiver the sum was 1525-3-4 we cutt off the house and 
about 9 or 10 acres of land Capt McLaughlin and Mr Clement of Goffes- 
town were the other two my fee was 45 £ james Underwood gave me his 
Note for it 

IQt'i I granted a License to Doctor Fox to Sell josiah Woods estate in 
Goffestown and he Returned the Inventory of josiah Woods Estate the 
fees for the whole 24 £ unpaid 

11* I got two new boat hooks from William Newman toward the price 
of the Cow I let him have between two and three years ago 

13*'^ we began to Raft our Ranging timber and I got 5 % Quarts of 
Molasses and two pounds of Coffee from W"^ McAllester for my service 
for him the ITtli of last October 

13 & 14'h We Rafted I assisted Rob' and David the afternoon 

16*'^ Joseph Patten helped us and we finished Rafting 

18"^ John Wallace let his hands come and help om* boys over with all 
our Raft into Ranfls Edy and I got my brors Son Sani'i from Lieut Orrs 
service and we set off and landed at Widow Colburns a little after sun set 
and we lodged there 

igth -^^g took the Raft to the head of the falls in the morning and then 
Sam" and our sons (viz) james Rob' and David set out for home and 
Sain" Rob' and David came home and james tari'ied in Litchfield at Capt 
Parkers and I lodged at Majr Varnums 

20"^ I agreed With Capt Russell for our Raft in the follcnving manner 
he is to give me for the Oak timber three quarters of what it brings at 
Newbury and he is to give the half of the boards that the pine logs makes 
at the same place and the Ranging timber I am to pay the catching and 
Rafting at Pentucket and I am to have the whole of it at the same place 
there is 2(3 Tun and 25 feet of Oak timber & 28 Tun and 22 feet of pine 
logs beside one old white pine log which I suppose will make 200 or 200 & 
3. J of boards and there is 7500 feet of Ranging timber Board measure he is 
to sell the whole and to make the pay to me and I paid my Expences at 
Majr Varnums which was 27 Dollars and at Widow Colburns which 85 



430 MATTHEW patten's DIAilY. 

Dollars and came to Capt Parkers and lodged there my Expences on the 
Road at Spaldiugs was 3 Dollars 

21^' I came home and yesterday Rob' and David Rafted for Lieut Orr to 
pay for Sam" Pattens two days he was with me to Pentucket I gave james 
24 Dollars to help bear their Expences home there was feet of boards on the 
Raft and feet of 2 inch yellow pine plank on it for scuting and going on 
it Capt Rnssell got onr four Oars which were of good white Ash and well 
' made and he is to pay for them over and above I Owe Capt Sam'i Moor 
for one quart and pint and half of Rum and a Mug of Egg Tody on acct 
of our Rafting business and I Owe Zechariah Chandler 2 Mugs of West 
India Tody and y^ a mug of Egg tody and a Glass of Cherry Rum and I 
owe Jacob McGaw }4. fim^g of W: I: Tody and all on the acct of our Raft- 
ing 

26*"^ I got W"' Newman to put a peice of iron across the shoulders of my 
Dung fork and a new tang and two Rings for our two dung forks and two 
nails for nailing them in the handles 

27th X got W"' Newman to put a peice of Iron on the point of my seed 
Shear and sharpen it and the Coulter 

MAY 2d 

I sent two bushell of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill but could not get it 
Ground but Smiths folks lent us some meal and to take it when ours is 
ground I had my brors mare 

3'! WAS FAST THROUGH THE STATE 

4*^^ I went to Litchfield and got 4 bushell of Indian corn from W'" Pat- 
terson I sent 33/3 of a Dollar in Silver to him by my james which paid it I 
took Rob'^ horse to Reads ferry and he viz Patterson sent a boy and a 
horse and brot it to the ferry for me and I brot it to Mr. Alexanders and 
left it there 

5th I got two pound of Shugar from Joseph Bell on credit and I sowed 
26)^ Quarts of Flax seed by Frenches and some Siberian wheat there allso 
but dont know how much and I took the corn that I brot from Litchfield 
yesterday to Deacon Smiths mill and got two bushel of it ground and the 
two bushell of Rie that Alex'' took there the 2d and brot it home 

7*'^ I took two bushell of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and had it ground 
and tlie two bushell of corn I left there the 5th and paid Smith the meal 
they lent us the 2d Instant and the Rest of the 4 bushell I brot home and 
I writ a bond for Ensn Chubbuck junr and a Note which he is to pay 

8* A Rainy day from the Northeasterly Quarter 

9"^ it began to Rain very hard yesterday a little before night and con- 
tinued on all night and almost all this day and Snowed in the afternoon it 
fell very fast and fell an inch or two deep and I got the shoes set on Rob'^ 
horse at james Houstons shop by his sons the father set the price which 
was a quarter of a Dollar the old way I could not pay it for want of 
money 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MAY 9th 1781 

14*'' I went Litchfield and got 4 bushells of Indian Corn from William 
Patterson on Credit and he lent me the 3>^ of a Dollar I had paid him in 



I 



MATTHEW patten's inAlIY. 431 

Silver for the 4 bn shells of ludiau eoru I got from liini the 4th lustaut aud I 
seut his boy and horse with it to Reads ferry my ferriage was 4 Dollars 
aud I took the four bushells to Deacou Smiths Mill aud had it grouud aud 
brot it home 

15''' I speut a cousiderable time last uight aud this moruiug \Yith oue 
Lemuel Blauchard of Cambridge and %vi-it a letter of cousiderable length 
to the Register on his acct about some Probate Business for which he paid 
75 Dollars and I went to Litchfield aud I got 4 bushells of ludiau corn 
from Ensn Quigfor which I paid him S}<^ of a Dollar in silver and he sent 
his boy with Peter Pattersons mare to Reads ferry with it I gave the boy 
4 Dollars and I paid 4 Dollars for my ferriage and I paid McGaw 12 Dol- 
lars for a jill of Rum jos Patten had aud i.< a bowle of tody I had when 
we took down our Raft aud I brot the corn to Deacou Smiths Mill and got 
it ground aud I got the .Toal of this 4 bushell from him aud the Toal of 
the 4 bushell I got ground there yesterday for which I paid him 31 Dollars 
and I brot this four bushell aud the }4 bushell of Toal home in meal 

17* I sowed the Remainder of the X bushell of Siberian wheat that 
Rob* McMurphy gave me on some of our last years potatoe land south of 
the Barn 

IS"' I filled Deed from Nath" Williams to Zechariah La^vl•ance of the 
old Rowan place in Newbostou and other ^vritings for which I charged 
them 50 Dollars and they paid me the luouey 

19"' I went to Litchfield aud got 4 Bushell of Rie from David Quig for 
which I paid him three Dollars in Silver aud 75 Dollars in paper money 
aud I brot it to Deacou Smiths mill and had it ground and I had the Toal 
but I could not pay him my ferriage was 4 Dollars and I had 3^ a mug of 
Tody at McGaws for which I paid 4 Dollars 

21'*' I went to Deacou Smiths mill with four bushells of Rie of our own 
and had it groiiud aud I had the Toal aud paid him for it aud the Toal of 
the 4 bushels I had ground there the 19th and for the Toal of a bushel aud 
7)2 quarts of Rie I have to take there yet of our own Rie the sum was 36 
Dollars aud we planted the peice we have by Frenches aud the two peices 
north from the house which were Co^\'yards about Ij^ acre in all being the 
fijst this year 

22'i I took the 1 bushell and 1}^ quarts of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill aud 
had it ground and I went to Rob' Ushars after a pair of Cotton Cards he 
was to get for me towards my takeiug Depositions for him but did not get 
them 

23<i I went to Amherst on a letter from Col Baldwin to try a Case be- 
tween Mr Barnard aud on Geo: Bishop tliey settled the matter by Evening 
but so late I could not come home and I tarried at Mr Smiths 

24^'' I came home my Expeuces was 50 Dollars which I could not pay 
and I got two Gimblets from Mr Means for which I paid him 30 Dollars 
and I went to Joseph Bells and got two £ of Shugar and settled with him 
for all the shugar I have had from him on credit which with the two £ 
today came to 75 Dollars and I gave him 50 Dollars and I owe him 25 yet 

25"' I knit at an Ell net was a CousideraT)le of Rain 

28"* we backt a peice of land furrow to furrow aud planted it ^vith Corn 



432 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

which finished what corn we mean to plant this spring and we planted 
some Beans and I went out by the Brushy meadow and got an ash to 
make Scoop net Bows 

2c^th J granted administration on the Estate of Frances McCoy to Sam- 
uel Farrington I went to Esq McGregores to do the business for my going 
and doing the business I charged 90 Dollars and he paid me and I catched 
9 shad and gave Farrington one and Tho" Cochran one and I brot the 
other 7 home and one that David got and am to pay a mug of Cydar for 
him that he had from Tho^ Karr for the shad I had of his and I gave 
James 77 Dollars to Divide between him and Robert and David for Elec- 
tion tomorrow 

31^' the boys and I got 20 Shad and got them hom 

JUNE 1st 

I got 17 shad at the new setting place and 19 eels that Rob* got last 
night I brot home in the Evening I had a jill of Rum at Esqr McGregores 
for which I paid five Dollars 

gth I went to the falls in the morning for what Eels the boys got last 
night and I paid two Mugs of Tody and a Glass of Riim at Esqr McGre- 
gores and I lost all the money I had left which was 196 Dollars that I am 
certain of & Shilling bill of the Bay State but how I cant tell 

6"' I fished at the new setting place and I got 8 shad and 23 Eelwives 
and an Eell and I changed them with Sam" Farrington for four 5''^^ of a 
bushell of corn I got a bushel and almost 6 quarts from him I am to have 
the over plus at 60 Dollars pr bushell and to leave the money with Tho» 
Karr and Farrington Returned the Inventory of Frances McCoys Estate 
and paid me 60 Dollars 

7**^ a Considerable Rain and the night before I got 14 Eels at the setting 
place and Rob' got 87 on the Island and David went with the horse and 
brot them home 

8*'^ I fished at the new setting place I got for my Divide 1 shad and 13 
EUwives and an Eell and I had f^ a mug of Grog at Esqr McGregores 
for which I paid 5 Dollars and I left 23 Dollars mth Tho« Karr for Mr 
Farrington for the Remainder of the corn I had from him the 6th with 
the bag I got it in according to our agreement 

11th J -went to the Falls to fish at Our setting place but the River was so 
high that I could not and I went and stickt up the Cherry tree boards that 
John Wallace sawed for me this Spring and on the 2d Instant I got 2 new 
Shoes made of my Iron for Rob' horses hind feet att sheds and 3 Set 
which I forgot to Enter in its proper place and after I had Stickt up the 
boards at Wallaces mill I went To Timothy Kimballs to Rectify A mistake 
that was made betweeii him and James Moor in Signing their deeds but 
they were both from home and this day james and David went oiit to Cut 
down Wood on the Dow land and Rob' went to cut down on the lott he 
workt on last year 

13"^ I went out with two loaves of bread to the boys and I went to the 
falls but got no Eels 

15 I went to the falls and Alex'' and I fished at the new setting place and 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 433 

Rob' aud fished one of our Riglits at the Eell place aud he put on Rob' Gil- 
crest on the other Rob' got 27 Eells and Alex'' got 16 and I paid ten Dol- 
lars of Expences at Esqr McGregores 

16"^ James and I went to the falls and we got 25 Eels on the Island 

18"* all the 4 boys and I went to the falls and jas David Alex"^ and I got 
31 Eels and we let Stephen French have them and Rob' got 25 and sold 
them to Rob' Spear 

19"' and 20"' we weeded at our corn and we finished except the potatoes 
and James and David went to ciiting down treas where they were out 
clearing in the 3d Rang 

25ti' we hoed our potatoes aud in the Afternoon I heard the petitioners 
for haveing janies Vose put oiit from being Guardian for Stephen Woods 
my judgement was not to put him out I charged 3 Dollars the old way 
and submited it to themselves what Discount to give me in continental 
bills they gave me 230 Dollars which was 76 and ]^ for one They appealed 
from my ju.dgenient for which they gave me of their own accord 25 Dol- 
lars I had a Mug of Tody at Chandlers after the affair- was over for which 
I paid 16 Dollars 

26"' it began to Rain in the afternoon and Rained a great quantity the 
night following 

27th William Newman laid a peice of iron on a steple of an yoke irons 
and welded the Ring they were both much worn 

28'^ Newman made a new hool? of my iron for one of my Draft chains 
and Shut several links in that aud another chain And I went out to 8 and 
9 in the 1st Rang with one W"" Fish and Tho« Stearns of Tuwxbury and 
showed tliem the lotts for which they paid me 3 Dollars of the new Emis- 
sion 

JULY FIRST 

I set out for Dracut to see Capt Russell about our timber and I went by 
the way of Londonderry and heard Mr Murrey preach at Mr Davidsons 
meeting house and I went to Pelham and lodged at Lieut Hardys 

2*^ I went to Capt Russells but got no pay and I came home my Expen- 
ces was 115 Dollars I bot 2 £ of shugar from Majr McQueston for which I 
paid him 54 Dollars 

4"' Shed made one new shoe for the One of the horses hind feet and 
welded the toe of one of the fore feet shoes and put a peice on the toe of it 
aud set three shoes on his feet 

5"' I went to Amherst and attended the Sessions and the Probate Court 
I Reed % a Dollar in Silver aud a two Dollar bill of the new Emission 
with what I Reed Since last Probate day made the Register and I even 
my Expences was 36 £ old continental money for my Dinner horse at pas- 
ture about 7 hours aud a Glass of W: I: Rum 

e"* I got 515 continental Dollars from old Mrs McLaughlin for wliich I 
am to pay her one Dollar of the new Emission for each 80 of it and I got 
54 of Rob' and 22 of Alex"" and 10 of jeans and Sarahs and with what I had 
of my own I went and paid the. Constable james Vose 760 Dollars toward 
our Rates which amounted to 19 Dollars of the new Emission and I paid 
28 



434 IV^ATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Joseph Bell 30 Dollars of old money for 2.') I owed being all I owed him him 
for what shugar I had from him on credit 

8"^ I set out for Newburyport heard Mr Miu'ry i^reach in Londonderry 
lodged at Rob' McMurphys 

gth Arrived at Newbury port lodged at Mr William Prices 

lOtii Waited all day for Capt Stephen Russell who did not come 

11 "> Cai^t Rnssell arrived in the forenoon and I got a barrel of N: E: 
Rum and the barrell it Gaged 32^ Gallon and 61 £ of Coffee and 21?^ £ of 
Shugar and 12 Dollars of the new Emission toward the timber Capt Rus- 
sell had from iis this Spring and Capt Russell brot the Rum to Haverhill 
for me and I set of for home at ^g past 4 in the afternoon I bot a Poiind of 
Soap for which I paid a new paper Dollar and ^o an Oz of snuff for which 
I paid five copers 

12"' I arrived home in the Evening my Expences was 156-6-0 of the old 
money 

13"^ I went to Rob* Spears in Goffestown and lent him 237 Dollars of 
continental old money for which he is to pay me New money when he 
sells the fine cloath his wife is now makeing 

15"' Mr Davidson preached in Bedford there was a fine Rain 

18'^'' I \\Tit a Deed from Benj Buxton to his son Jonathan 

19"' I through mistake went to Gearfields to attend on a hearing be- 
tween John and Lemuel Blanchard and come by Mr Holts and sent to Mr 
BiTxton who came and signed the deed to his son and I took the acknowl- 
edgement for which and the deed jona made rwo shoes and set them on 
Rob*" horse 

20"' I went to Gearfields to hear the affair between the above said 
Blanchards Lemuel moved for a continuance which I granted to the 34th 
of September next the Regr and I charged five hard Dollars in the lieu of 
which Lemuel paid 20 new Emission dollars which we Divided even and 
I granted Adm" on John Harvils Estate to his widow for wliich we Reed 
10/ in hard money the Regr gave me 4/ and David and Alex'' broke up and 
had two pair of Oxen of my bror Sam^i lielping and he had one pair of our 
Oxen 2>^ Days helping him plow 

21''*' 23"^ and % of the 24*'' we broke up and finished the peice north by 
the Run and we had two pair of my brors Oxen helping us 4 days in all 
at this brealdng up 

25"' we hilled at the corn and Rob* came home in the forenoon and 
helped us 

26"' Rob* and David went to the little meadow and I went to London- 
derry and got W'" Lyon to promis to bring the barrel of Rum from Haver- 
hill that Capt Russell It^f t there for me and I came home a little before day 

27"' and 28*'' we worked at geting hay and Rob* Carted home two load 

30*'' I went to Lyons and brot home the barrell of Rum with our young 
oxen 

3P* I carted home two load of hay and I let Mr Shed have by the hand 
of his wifes mother Mrs Johnson' two gallon of Rum seven pound of Coffee 
and 4:]4. £ of Shugar and I lett Samuell Goffe have IX qnart of Rum and 
to John Mcintosh a Glass bottle full of Rum 



MATTHEW I'ATTEN'8 DIAHV. 435 

AUGUST 1st 

let Sani'i Goffe have !}( quart of Rum and Silas Walker 5 Gallon and 
one quart of Rum and I brot home two load of hay 

2'' I Run lines for John Mcintosh for which he is to Reap for me And 
Lieut Philip Ferrin got three Gallon of Rum by Mr Sheds boy it is to be 
charged to Mr Shed 

3<i Rob' and Alex'' went to Reap at Rob'« Rie and I Raked hay at the lit- 
tle meadow and David brot home two load from there he had his uncles 
young oxen 

i^^ I went And helped Rob' to Reap and we finished he had 10 stooks 
and 3 sheaves and David brot home a load of hay with our own team 

6"* we began to Reap our Rie at home and I let james Walker junr have 
a Gallon of Rum and let Sam^' Goffe have two quarts of Rum 

7"' John Mcintosh Reaped for me toward my Runing lines for him the 
3d Instant 

8"' I let james Mathes have a Gallon of Rum and I lent John Mcintosh 
a quart of Rum and I lent old Mrs Morrill a glass bottle full of Rum and I 
let Sam'^ Morrison have a pint of Runi with 5i^ quarts he got the 3d In- 
stant makes 1}^ Gallon and I let Capt Samii Moors wife have three pounds 
of Cofcee to be settled in the acct of 1% quart of Rum and a mug of Egg 
Rum we had when we Rafted last spring and two ferriages of my Self 
and horse and two of a pair of Oxen and myself twice over 

9"i I paid Z Chandler a Glass bottle full of Rum that I borrowed from 
him a little before I got up our barrel of Rum and we carted in our Rie 
we have but 24 stooks and Rob' thrashed a stook and 10 sheaves and had a 
bushel and peck and we brot home our flax there was 58 shoak of it and 
brot home a load of hay from the little meadow 

10"' I paid Z Chandler 1}£ pint of Rum which I got from him the 14th 
of last Febr and I brot two load of hay from the Meadow 

Xith I ]3pot two load of hay from the meadow and we got it all into cock 
and Rob' Mowed in the meadow at home being the first this year 

13"' last night and this morning was a fine Rain being the first Rain we 
liave had since the 19th of July which is 24 days the Droiaght has been 
very Severe for the length of the time the weather very hot day and night 
I got james Houston and his son Isaac to make seven cart nails and a beal 
for our Dish Kittle of my Iron 

17"' we got in the last of our hay out of the meadow at home we had Six 
jags in all 

18'!' I let Mr Nathan Shed have 8 £ of Coffee more which makes 15 £ I 
have let him have in all and I got a pair of Cotton Cards from Rob' Ushar 

20"' last night was a prety Refreshing Rain but not a Great quantity 
and I writ my Deposition for Robert Usliar concerning what on Mays Evi- 
denced on the trial of Abijah Ushar and David and Alex'' thrashed off our 
Flaxseed and I cleaned it we have three bushells of it 

21'*' David and Alex' Thrashed our Siberian wheat and I cleaned it we 
have 2 W bushell of it we had four stooks of it and the Girls spread out our 
flax to Dew Rott 



43.6 :matthew patten's diary. 

22^ David and Alex"' Thrashed 4 stocks of Rie and cleaned up !}{ biishell 
aud I took it and about twenty one or two quarts of Siberian wheat to 
Sam'^ Moors mill and got it groimd and I brot home the Island Eell net 
and our setting place net 

33'^ I went to james Moors in Goffestown and Rectified a mistake that 
was made in signing his and Timothy Kimballs Deeds and Timothy Kim- 
ball paid me two poimd of Cotton for my Dividing moors farm and ■writ- 
ings done the 38th of last Novbr I charged them nothing for my time a 
Rectifying the mistake which cost me three journeys up there 

25th I went to Lieut Orrs and got 3 £ of shugar two pound of which I 
paid him for in Eells last June the other pound I owe him for 

27*'' I took three Depositions for james Underwood in the case that Mor- 
ril sued him and I took three Depositions for John Bell in the case that he 
sued Morril and David helped Majr Gofife break up with our four Oxen for 
his helping us a day to draw pine logs some time last Febry or March 

38"' David and Alex' Thrashed some in the Afternoon and I mowed 
some at the bushess between and the meadow 

39"' I cleaned up 3I0 bushells of Rie aud Sund it 

30"' I had Frenches old horse and went to Sam" Moors mill with the 2)^ 
bushells I cleaned yesterday and got it ground yesterday I granted Admin- 
istration on Nathan Chandler late of Boscawen Deed to his Widow Sus- 
anna for which she paid me 10/8 in silver 

31** was a fine shower about the middle of the day aud I cut the inside 
of my left leg with my Gubiug hoe a considerable large cut on the small 
of the leg and gave William Fish his note he left with me the 38th of 
last June against Nath" Kittredge for 33 £ of clover seed 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I got two Sow pigs from Matthew McDutfee which I owe him for 

4th J -^j-i^ a letter to the Register concerning some orders from Com-t 
Relateing the Confiscated Estates 

5"' james Underwood brot his Mare to me to go to Litchfield to do some 
busines for him and I went and lodged at Quigs 

6"' I got IT lo £ of pork from Widow Harvill toward which I paid her 
two Silver Dollars and I paid my ferriage for going and coming and for 
my comeing over there the 3d of last July to Mrs Durrah and three cop- 
pers over 

8*'' Capt McLaughlins son james helped us and we laid up 40 lengths of 
Log fence toward enclosing the ground we broke up this Summer 

11"' was a pretty Refreshing Rain in the afternoon and I went to the 
Raising of John And Joseph Saw mill 

13*'' Alex"" and our 4 oxen workt for james Houston all day ti5 be settled 
in o\M acct 

17th The boys carted in the Stalks and I went to Derryfield to lay of 
laud for james Gorman that he sold as Constable for Taxes and lodged at 
Lieut Halls 

18"' was a great Rain and we could not work and I came home in the 
Evening 



I 
I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 437 

19"' I sowed the new broke up gTOuiid I sowed o biish(>ll aud about 3 
pecks ou it aud the old Cow yard and David aud Alex'' harrowed at it the 
afteruoou with uiy brors haiTow aud jaiues cleaned the last of our crop of 
Rie ther was 12 bushell of it 

20"' 21'' & 22'' I Ruu liues for janies Goriuau in Derryfield 

24"' I went Amherst to hear Lemuel Blauchards complaint against his 
Bror John Lem : paid me two silver dollars for my trouble and he paid the 
Regr as much he had paid the for the hearing before we finished at mid- 
night 

25"' we Granted Admir on the Estate of W" Peters to Timothy Gile on 
Esqr for which he paid 10/6 and the Regr took it and allowed me the fees 
I took on Nathan Chandler Adnu- as my part of both and he gave me 3:^ 
my part of fees for a Wart to divide the estate of josiah Blanchard and I 
bot a gimblet and ig a ouz of suulf from Means for which I paid him j^ 
my Expences was 7/3 at Mr Smiths in Silver L : M : and I came home in 
the evening 

26"' I split 42 Rails on the Ministerial land 

27th 28"' and 29"' I Run lines for james Gorman in Derryfield of the land 
he sold for Taxes and Doctor Fox gave my mfe a Silver Dollar toward the 
pay for the Return of the Inventory of josiah Woods Estate and a War- 
rant to sell the Real Estate 

OCTOBER FIRST 

There was a case before me at my house between William Fisk of Tewx- 
bury Plant & Nathaniel Kittridge of Goffestown Deft they Deft became 
Defaulted aud paid 15/4 of the cost I Reed 4/9 my part of the cost aud I 
adjourned the Court to the 29th Instant at 10 of the clock aforenoon at my 
house 

4"' I went to Amherst aud attended the Sessions and I took 12/3 fees at 
the Probate Court the Regr was not there my Expences was : 1 : 10 aud 
I came home in the Evening 

gth s^Q gQ^, ju ^iig last of our corn 

On the 3d I got a barrel of Cydar from james Bell for some Services I 
did for him in a differance between him and his Bror Gordon I signed a 
Wart and vrrit a letter aud Spent a good deal of time 

13 We ground our Apples at my brors mill we got off about 4 }4 barrels 
of clear cydar and I put on 4 pails full of Water and we got off above a 
barrel 

15"' I went to Mr Majors in Derryfield and I got 14 £ of shugar for 
which I jmid a Dollar and two pistereens and Rob' jones began to make 
shoes for us 

18"' John Stevens Retiu-ned the Inventory of Stephen Saunders Estate 
and I gave him a wart to set off" the widows dower for which he paid me 8/ 

19"' jane Sarah and I went a Cliesn;iting we got about }4 a bushel and 
we borrowed a quarter of Beaf off' Rob' Morril that weighed 51 £ 

20"' I writ a Deed from Isaac Atwood to John Bell junr and a letter to 
Mark Wentworth for John Vickere and T took the acknowledgement all 
unpaid 



438 MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 

23'' I got 2 bushells of lucliau corn and a bushel of Rie gi'ouud at Sain" 
Moors mill and the afternoon I held a Court between W'" INIoor the 2d of 
this town Oonipt and W" Patterson of L : Derry Respt I adjourned the 
case to the 14th of next December at 12 o clock at noon to Chandlers 

24th ]y[j. Jones has made Six pair of shoes for us and a pair of slippers for 
my wife Rob' paid for the makeing of his pair and he gave the makeing of 
two pair and he found 4 pair of heels his charge was 9/ for all and I paid 
him the money 

27"* I ^\Tit a pair of leases for Ensign Chubbuck of his wif es 3ds in 
Abington to be paid in Cooper work 

30''> and 31^' and Nov'"" 1"' and 2^' of the 2'' was a laying off land for 
James Gorman in Derry field that he sold for taxes the 1st and 2d David 
workt at Piscataquog Bridge 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 2d 1781 

5tii ^e broke up by Frenches and james "Walker and their 4 oxen helped 
us and we had james Wallaces pair of oxen both days and we got 2 quarts 
of Rum from my Brother John 

7"* and 8"* David and our 4 oxen and breaking up jilow helped james 
Walker break up 

9"* james Walker helped us to break up and we had two paii* of my 
brothers oxen helping us and we had a quart of Rum from John Patten 

IQtii I went to Deacon Smiths mill with 2 Jo bushell of corn and 1 >^ of 
Rie I let him have a pound of Tobacea and I am to have the Toal 



On the 6th I went to Thomas Willsons in Newboston and got 36 £ of 
tobacea from his son Thomas at 4 Dollars and I paid him one Dollar of it 
and on the 8th I sent two Dollars to my bror Sam" for Mr James Cald- 
well toward a note that james Vose and I gave him some years ago and on 
the 9th I got 3 bushell of Rie from Silas Walker toward the Rum he had 
from me last summer 

12"' 13"' 14"' 15"' 16"' and 17"' I workt for james Gorman in Derryfield 
laying off land he sold for Taxes 

21"' 22'' and 23'' I workt for james Gorman in Derryfield laying off land 
he sold for taxes 

24"* Lieut Hall and Gorman and I agi-eed to di-aw the Deeds to the pui-- 
chasers and go shares in the profits the acknowledgements to be mine 
above my share with them in the Deeds we vprit 7 and part of the 8th and 
I writ a Deed from W" Guilford to Asa Swinnerton and took the acknowl- 
edgment for which I charged them 2/ and Guilford owed me for two 
acknowledgments and they agreed that Swinnerton is to pay me 4/ for 
the whole 

27"* I went to Deacon Smiths mill with three bushells of Indian corn 
and had it ground 

28"' we butchered a sow a small one we did not weigh her I was to have 
Run lines for Mr Gemble and Duston of Derryfield I went to Col Goffes 
ferry but could not get over the Ice Run so thick 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 439 

30*11 X went to Derryfield to Run Gembles and Dustous lines but they 
liad not got a transcript and did not Do it and came home and had i^ a 
mug of Tody at Lieut Hobbs on credit And David and onr four oxen workt 
for Stephen Fi-ench all day 

DECEMBER 1st 

I hauled a white pine log to Lieut Orrs mill and I brot home a stock of 
white pine boards that he sawed last Spring for us 

4"^ I attended at Chandlers an Evidence in Morrill and Underwoods 
affau's on their Referauce by a Rule of Court Summoned by both parties 

5"^ attended at Chandlers on the same business as yesterday last night 
and today there fell a Snow about 5 or 6 inches deep exceeding solid 

8"^ I went to Deacon Smiths Mill with two bushell of Indian corn and a 
bushell of wheat and had it gi'ound and I had the toal and David and our 
4 oxen worked for John Patten 

10*'' it snowed all day moderately and last night it fell about 7 or S 
inches deep I sheled 3 bushell of corn 

11^'* I went to Deacon Smiths mill and took 2 bushels of Indian corn and 
1}4. bushell of Rie and had it ground and I had the toal 

12*'^ we butchered two of our hoggs we did not weigh them and Nathan 
Shed sent us ]4. a bushell of Winter Wheat a present 

13"' WAS A GENERAL THANKSGIVEING THROUGHOUT THE 
UNITED STATES BY ORDER OF CONGRESS 

and I filled a pair of Indentures for Deacon Smith of the boy that lives 
with him 

14*'' I attended at Chandlers on the adjournment of the case between 
William Moor and William Patterson they settled the affair and I forgave 
them my fees and the Evidences forgave theirs 

17*'' I at Tho» Boies desire went to h'is mothers and ^vrit her Will 

19"' David and I went and hailed in three Board logs to Wallaces mill 
one of them I got from Ensn Chubbiick that he had fell and cut off on the 
highway on the top of the hill above Frenchs and we brot home some 
Cherry tree boards that Wallace sawed for us last spring 

20"' last night and today was a considerable Rain and we butchered the 
two last of our hogs and Mr McVea finished makeing a Gragoo for Bob 
and a coat for Alex'' without linen 

25"' I assisted Joseph Houston at his Vendue of the nonresident proprie- 
tors laud in Bedford I Veudued for him And I took the acknowledgement 
of a Deed for Nicholas Sprake unpaid 

27"' Robert Alexander gave me a barrel of Cydar and Alex' brot it home 
and I finished makeing a flax break Ordination in Goffestown 

28"' was a Storm of Snow from the N: E: and the latter part of tlie day 
it Rained and I new built the mouth of our Oven 

31*' I went to Lieut Halls in Derryfield on word sent me by James Gor- 
man to arbitrate between him and Eben' Stevens but when I come I would 
not medle in their affair and the Arbitrators allowed Gorman to pay me 



440 INIATTHEW TATTEX'S DIAEY. 

JANUARY 1st 1782 

2'' I set out to go to Amherst and on my way at Mr Holts I granted Ad- 
ministration to Daniel Blodget of his father in law Isaac Stevens Estate 
for which he paid me 10/6 and I got to Capt Love joys and lodged there 
my Expences was 4/8 I did not pay it 

3"^ I attended the Probate court and we took as much fees as come to 50/ 
and I had got 25/ of fees which belonged the Regr since we settled that 
made ns even that I had none of what fees we took today and I lodged at 
Smiths 

4"i I bot a quire of paper at 2/ and % of alspice at Means at 1/ and 
paid him my Expences at Smiths was 5/S which I paid and I had % ^ 
mug of Tody at Love joys as I came home at / 6 which mth the 4/8 as I 
went over makes 5/2 1 owe him 

5"^ I took 3>^ bushells of Indian corn to Deacon Smiths mill and got it 
ground and I had the Toal 

7* I got a bushell and 4 Quarts of Hie from Samuel Goffe for a gallon 
and a pint of Rum he had from me last summer and I sent Alex'' to Dea- 
con Smiths mill with it and a bushell of Indian corn and I had the toal 

8'^^ I writ three Deeds for james Martin one to John Griffin and one to 
John Gardner and the other to oiu- Robert and David and Alex' went to 
school to Cypher it being the first day either went 

24"^ I got a bushell of Rie from james Walker junr for a Gallon of Rum 
he had from me last summer and I took it and a bushell and almost a peck 
of corn to Deacon Smiths mill and I had the toal one day last week we 
had Mr Underwoods pan* of Oxen helping us 

25"^ Isaac Houston welded the handle of oiir fire shovel and John Patten 
gave us a fresh Cod that I suppose weighed about 8 or 9 pound we have 
been haiiling logs to the River and this day we have got Tun and feet 
to the River 

FEBRUARY 2d 

I got a fresh Cod fish from David Rowel that weighed 17 £ at two pence 
per £ to be settled in what he is to pay for my laying off land in Derryfield 
this faull that he bot for Taxes 

4"^ I got my wif es heck new teethed and a new end on a spool and a new 
foot wheel from james Gorman toward my laying off land he sold in 
Derryfield this faull for taxes 

7''' I went to Silas Walkers and got a peck of Rie toward the Rum he 
had from me last Summer 

8*1^ I got two bushells of Rie from Silas Walker which with the peck I 
got yesterday and three bushels I got from him the 9th of last November 
paid the whole of the 5}4 Gallon of Rum he had from me last summer he 
brot the two bushells I got today to Chandlers 

ll'h I took the 2I4 of a bushell of Rie I got from Silas Walker and a bush- 
ell and a little more of my own corn to Deacon Smiths mill and had it 
Ground and I had the toal 

12*'^ I spent the forenoon at home and the afternoon at Chandlers both 
on the proprietors of this towns acct I was % a mug of Tody at Chandlers 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKV. 441 

13"i I -WTit two long uotificatious for a proprietors meetiug to be held at 
Cliaudlers the 12th of next march at one of the clock iu the afteruoou 

15*^ I got a pint and half of Riim from Zechariah Chandler on Credit 

16'*^ I gave John Mcintosh a notification for Joseph Bell to hear some 
Depositions taken at Chandlers this evening at w^hich time and place I 
attended and took Thomas Boies Deposition but took no more. 

26"i James Thompson of Litchfield Returned the Inventory of his 
Fathers Estate and I gave him a commission to Capt Bixby and Sam" 
Chase juur to Receive and Examin the claims on the Estate I charged 8/ 
for both he could not pay me 

27th I got 3 Roim dings from French to sole my shoes and I gave on 
Adouijah Tylar to Esqr Bailey and Capt Putney to Examin the claims of 

the Estate of Davis late of Hopkiuton for which he paid me half a 

Dollar and I sent Alex"^ to Adam Dickey with an order that our james had 
on him for 51.1 bushells of corn to be paid in Rie and he gave him 4 bush- 
ells and 12 quarts of Rie for it and took 1 bushell and the 12 quarts of the 
Rie and a bushell of our Indian corn to Sam" Moors mill and had it 
ground 

MARCH 1st 

and 2d I was at james Gorriians assisting him a writing Deeds of the land 
he sold for Taxes and on the 1st I took back the wheel I got from Gorman 
on the 4th of last Febr we did not like her 

4"^ I went to Lieut John Halls and I took the Acknowledgement of two 
Deeds for him and swore him to acct against Rob' Clarks Estate and writ 
the Caption and I had % a mug of Tody on credit from him which is to 
answer what I had from in the house and I got 13 £ of pickled fish from 
Da\dd Rowel to be settled in what he owes james Gorman at /2 pr £ and 
I got a bushell of Oats from Will'" Moor junr 

5"! I set out for Dracut and Haverhill and I lodged at Capt Joseph But- 
terfields at free cost 

6"^ I went to Capt Russell and got two orders one on Mr Horton for 
what things I want and another for two barrels of Rum that lay in Mr 
Bartlets store and I lodged at Deacon Shepards 

7"' I brot one of the barrels of Rum from Mr Bartlett to Rob' McMur- 
phys and lodged there 

S"' I came home and brot the barrel of Rum to Zech Chandler he gave 
me the 5th 5 crowns and a Dollar and he gave me 6 Dollars today toward 
the Rum he is to have it at ^o a dollar a Gallon and the bringing up I got 
a Cake of Chocolate from Majr Pinkerton for which I i)aid 6/S» Bay old 
Tenor my Expences was 3/2 3^ Lawful on this journey 

ll'h I set oft' for Haverhill and got the other Barrel of Rum that Capt 
Russell Stored at Mr Bartletts for me in the f auU I paid a pistereen for the 
storage of the two barrels and I came to Mr Hazletins and lodged there 

12"^ I brot the Rum to Majr Pinkertous and left it there and went to 
Rob' McMurphys and lodged there 

13"' Set out for Newbury Port on horse back and arived there and 
lodged at W'" Prices 



442 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

14tii X got 14 i of Rice and and 1,' 2 £ of Tea from Mr James Horton toward 
our timber and I bot 28 £ of shugar at two Dollars and ^^ £ of Indigo at 
two Dollars and a fine tooth comb at a shilling and two £ of Coffee for 
jean McMurphy for which I paid two pistereen and I came five miles this 
side Sweats ferry and lodged at Mr Bradleys tavern 

15"' came to Rob^ McMnrphys and lodged there 

18"^ I come to Majr Piukertons and brot the barrel of Rum as far as Mr 
Giles and the off Runner of my Sled pulled in two and I got a Slea from 
him and brot it to Capt Sam^i Moor but could not get the mare nor the 
Rum over and left them there and I got over myself and came home my 
Expences this week was about 1}4 Dollar jean McMurphy gave me two 
pickled Codfish and I gave her the two £ of Coffee I bot for her at New- 
bury 

The 14"^ Alex"" and our 4 oxen worked for james Houston all day 

19"^ was a proprs meeting by adjoiu-nment and they Voted to give up 
the Lease between them and jolin Orr to the selectmen and I gave it to 
Hugh Orr and james Smith in the evening and I writ a Deed from old old 
Ensign Chubbuck to his son Ensign and I got 3 pair of heels from jas Gill- 
mor of Merrymac for which I am to ^VTite a letter to Simon Tutle for him 

20"^ I writ the letter to Tuttle for Gillmor and sent it by John Craig on 
the 18th I had 3 cases before me two wherein james Underwood were 
Plant and David Greg and one Everden were Def ts and another wherein 
Rob* Jones was Plant and John Mcintosh was Deft my fees for signing the 
blanks and the trial in the 3 cases was 14/3 and I got 11/2 in money to- 
ward it They were all defaiilted and I adjourned all the 3 cases to the 18tli 
of April for makeiug up judgment and another wherein Alex' Stewart is 
Deft for trial and Alex"^ and our 4 Oxen workt for Stephen French to pay 
him for leather he let Ezek^ Gardner have to pay for his teaching them to 
sing Miisick 

19"> David and our 4 oxen workt for French to pay for leather french 
let Ezekial Gardner have for Gardners teaching him to sing Musick this 
winter 

23*^ I went to Litchfield and got two bushells and better than a half of 
Indian corn from W" Patterson for what james and Rob' helped him last 
Indian harvest time and I gave him 6/8 lawful which with 1-6-0 I sent 
him by james paid what corn I had from last May all but 10/ and it paid 
20/3 Bay old Tenor he lent me when I was going to Dracut so that I owe 
him now but the 10/ which is a Dollar and two thirds and I got Rob' 
Mare home from Capt Moor who has kept her a week that I could not get 
over the River 

26"' was our Proprietors meeting which I attended and in the forenoon 
I attended at Chandlers at Tho^ Lauceys affair 

27"' was oiir annual Meeting and I took 3 Depositions for old John Bell 
and 2 for james Underwood 

28"^ I writ a Deed from William White to David and Hugh Riddle for 
which and time and the acknowledgment and time spent with them 
I charged them a bushell of Indian corn which David promised to pay me 
in corn or Rie 



I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 443 

29"' I writ two loug Deeds one from Israel young to David Sessions and 
the other from Da\ad Hall to said Sessions both of seven diferant peices 
of Land in Derryfield 

;30"' Alexander and I went with the Oxen and Sled and brot the barrel 
of Rum from Capt Moors to Chandler it Gaged Sljo Gallon and I got 
a new Tea Kittle from him toward the Rum at two Dollars and he gave 
5 Dollars and 20/ Bay old tenor today which with the 12 Dollars and 25/ 
Bay old Tenor he paid me before makes 20 Dollars I have got toward the 
two baiTels of Rum he has had from me (viz) one on the 8th Instant and 
the other today I am to make alowance for the Extraordinary wastage as 
we suppose there ought to be an alowance but dont yet know how much 

APRIL 1st 

I went to Lieut Halls and I took the acnowledgment of two Deeds for 
David Sessions and the acknowledgment of three Deeds for Israel Young 
and two for Daniel Hall and four Deeds for Oapt james Majory which 
David Sessions is to pay and the acknowledgment of a Deed to Charles 
Emerson which james Gorman or Sessions is to pay they were all from 
james Gorman Except the two first mentioned which two was them 
I ^vrit from Israel Young and Daniel Hall the 29th Ult the \vi-iting of 
them Sessions pays as well as the acknowledgments I charged him 10/ for 
writing the two Deeds and the acknowledging them and the other four 
acknowledgments of Majory over and above the 10/ about that Sessions 
is to pay 

2'' I ^v^it two long Deeds for David Sessions the one was from Capt 
Majory to him the other was from Charles Emerson to him I charge 8/ 
for the two 

3*1 I went and brot the 8 bushells of corn from Reeds that our james 
brot there four for me and four for Barnabas McCain 4 I left at McGaws 
and the other 4 I brot to Deacon Smiths mill and had 2 of it ground for 
my self and allmost a bushel (^f Rie tliat that I took there today and the 
other two bushel of corn 1 left at the mill for McCain my Expences for 
ferriag was the Sixteenth of a Dollar and % a Mug of Tody at McGaws 
for which I paid /4 lawful and I gave Deacon Smith a Dollar toward the 
Toal I have 

4"' I went to Amherst to attend the Probate Court and lodged at Smiths 

5"^ Did some Probate business my part of the fees we took was 13/6 my 
Expences at Smiths was 5/1 got 'o ^^ ounce of snuff at Means for which 
I paid 5 Copers and I paid Capt Lovejoy S^^ for my Expences at his house 
last January when I was over at the Probate 

on the 3d I sent W'" Patterson of Litchfield five Dollars with what I 
sent him by my james and a Crown I gave him myself on the 23d of last 
march paid all I owed him and the price of 4 bushell of corn Ovar which 
I have yet to get 

fi'h I got 36 £ of Iron from William Newman toward what he owes me 
and I went to McGaws and brot the 4 biishell of corn away that I left 



444 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

tliere the 8d and brot it to Deacon Smiths mill aud had two bushell of it 
ground for myself aud the other two I left there for Barnabas McCain on 
our jauies acct 

8*'^ Alex'' and I went to Wallaces saw mill and brot some slabs to put on 
om- Raft to scull on and David measured pine logs for Capt McLaughlin 
and Orp : Griff en 

9"' Rob' David and Alex'' aud I Rafted our pine logs we have 37 in 
Number we have five gon away with the freshet we Drawed 1}^, Quart of 
Rum from Chandler we Reserved to draw what we should need for Raft- 
ing and toward puting up a house from when he had the Rum from us 

10"' I took the proof of John Henrys Will for which and writing an 
advertismeut and time spent instructing his son Samuel one of the 
Execrs Sami' paid me two hard Dollars And I granted Guardianship to 
Widow Mirick of her son Ezra the fees a Dollar which she could not pay 
And I examined Capt Herrimans acct of his Trusteeship on Col W" 
Starks and John Stinsons Estates for which he paid me six Dollars of the 
new Emission and Rob' and David went off with 37 pine logs all our own 
and I drawed a Gallon of Rum from Chandler and he paid me 1}4 Dollar 
toward the Rum which the boys took with them and Tho^ Lancey went 
their pilot 

11"' I swore Capt McLaughlin Stephen Dole Lt Vose James Martin 
Majr Goffe and John Boies the Oath for town officers to take prescribed 
in an act made the 28th of No^t 1781 aud T swore them all the Oaths of 
Office to which they were Respectively chosen at the March Meeting and 
I framed a letter to send to james Duncan of Haverhill 

12"' I copyed of the letter I framed yesterday to send to Mr james 
Duncan of Haverhill 

13"' I sent it by John Morrison to Mr Duncan and David got home from 
Peutucket and Rob' went to AlmsbiTry with the logs and got there that 
evening 

15"' David went to Litchfield to work a day or two for W'" Patterson 

10"' Rob' came home from Almsbury 

17"' David came home from Litchfield and brot home two bushels of 
Rie and two corn from W'" Patterson and got it gTOund at Deacon Smiths 
mill by Adam he toled it 

18"' I made up judgment in three cases for james Underwood one was 
Defaulted today 

34th I ]2ad John McLaughlins sou james and his 4 oxen aud his breake- 
ing up plow and james Wallaces pair of Oxen helping us break up between 
and the meadow aud my brors Steers the Afternoon and I drawed a pint 
of Rum from Chandler 

25"' WAS THE GENERAL FAST 

26"' John Maclaughlins son james helped us all day and my brors son 
Joseph the afternoon to lay up Log fence Roimd the new field we laid up 
about 30 lengths which com pleated the fence and I drawed 1 ^ o pint of 
Rum from Chandler 

27"' I went to Litclifield and got ^2 ^ bushel of Peas froiu W" Patterson 
for which I paid a Dollar and I got 4 bushels of corn from him on credit 



I 



I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 445 

I owed him -3 of a Dollar of all the Graiu I have had from him before 
which makes 28/1 owe him now iu all for last year and this of all the 
gi-ain I have had from him And I got 29 £ of Shiigar from Esqr Under- 
wood bj' an order from his sou james to be settled with his son james iu 
oiu' accts my ferriage at Reads was nine pence which I paid and I left the 
4 bushells of com at McGaws that I got at Pattersons today 
29*'^ I sowed the peas I got at Pattersons 

MAY FIRST 

I went to McGaws and brot the 4 bushells of corn I left there the 27th 
lilt and had it gTouud at Deacon Smiths mill and I had the Toal the Rest 
of the week we were all geting timber for the frame for the house 

(jth Tff^Q began to frame in the afternoon 

7"^ we sowed our flaxseed I sowed aboiTt a bushell and we got l^^ pint 
of Rum from Chandler 

gtii -^^e got 3 pints of Rum from Chandler 

11th ^TQ got 3 pints of Rum from Chandler and John and Joseph Patten 
james Walker and james Wallace came to help us frame we workt awhile 
in the morning and it come on a heavy Rain and Wallace went home and 
it cleared up about the middle of the day and John and Joseph Patten and 
•jas Walker workt the afternoon 

13''' John Patten workt with us at the frame and Alex'' workt for him 
with Joseph 

14"' John Patten james Underwood and james Walker helped us all day 
and Tho'* Lancey the forenoon and Joseph Patten the afternoon to frame 
and Alex"^ helped in John Pattens Room the forenoon the afternoon was 
very Rainey and we fli-awed 0)3 Quarts of Rum from Chandler 

15*'' John and joseiih Patten james Walker and Joseph Bell in james 
Underwoods Room helped us frame and we finished a little time after 
dinner and we Raised the afternoon and we drawed 3 Gallons and 3 
Quarts of Rum from Chandler which conipleatly carried us out 

16"' something of wet misty Rain and I took home james Wallaces 
Tenant Saw and two inch Auger that we had to use a framing and I took 
liome Chandlers Gallon and Frenchs Gallon bottles and Capt Walkers two 
quart bottle I took to Chandlers to be sent home from there and I took 
upper leather of my own and out sole and heel lifts of Rob*** leather that 
he got of Capt Aiken to Rob' jones and I spoke to Majr Goffes wife to 
borrow in soles and heel stuff wliich jones got to compleat the stuff for 
my shoes 

17th J ^yrit a ix)wer of Attorney and took the acknowledgment for Mark 
Duly for whicli he paid me 2/ Lawful and I wi'it a power from Rob- Mor- 
ril to Rob' Smith and I took the acknowlcHlgment no pay 

on the 7th or 8tli I got a bushell of Jim from David Riddel for my ser- 
vice between him and W" White and liad it ground at Deacon Smiths 
and I had the toal 



446 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MAY 17th 1782 

IS'ii I split 34 Rails ou the Ministerial laud 

20"! I went to Widow Mudgets in Wear and Granted Adminr on her 
late husbands Estate to her son Ezra and I tarried there over night 

21'*' I took the proof of Daniel Pages vdll late of Wear and the proof of 
Joseph Hoags Vv^ill late of Heniker for which they each paid me 10/6 and 
each of them paid me 8/ for my comeing there and they paid Mrs Mudget 
half a dollar for my last nights entertainment And Ezra Mudget let me 
have three bnshels of corn for his part of my going there and the adminr 
and I gave Daniel Bagley six dollars for corn he promised to let me have 8 
bushels and I brot the three bushels I had from Mudget home and I got it 
ground at Dows and I hot the Toal of it and paid 13 )^ pence for it and 
yesterday Amos Gardner got 4 bushels of potatoes for which he is to give 
me 3 thousand of shingle nails the rest of the week we were prepareiug 
for and planting 

27tii "vve planted the peice by Frenches 

28th I granted Administration on the Estate of John Harvey late of 
Goffestowu who was Drowned at Islehookset the 23d Instant to Capt Todd 
for which he paid me 10/6 and I went to the falls and got 3 shad and I 
had a mug of Tody at McGregores on credit 

29th J -went to the falls in the afternoon and I got 2 shad and an Eel and 
I staled and fished at the little setting place till the middle of the night 
David was on the Island but he got none Alex^ staid all night with jos : 
anrt we got 45 Eels for our part 

30"^ I went to Amherst to assist John Craig to settle his note to Daniel 
McFarland with Mr Dana and his bror Sam" and lodged att Smiths 

31^' we came home by the Evening he paid my Expences 

JUNE FIRST 

yesterday and last night David and Alex"" got 9 shad and 5 Eels 

3'^ Alex"" fished at the new setting place and got 23 Shad and two Eels 
and I got 6 Eels ou the Island yesterday and today David workt for james 
Walker 

5"* last night Alex'^ and I fished at our Eel place we got 202 Eels and I 
fished at the new Setting place and got one Salmon of about 12 £ and 10 
Shad and 11 Eels and the night following we got 40 Eels from the 
setting place and I had fo ^ mug of Tody at Esqr McGregores on credit 
and John Craig sent me 1 K hushel of Rie for my going with him to Am- 
herst last week 

6*'^ Alex'' went to Deacon Smiths mill mth the 1 J4 bushel of Rie that 
John Craig sent me yesterday and as much Indian and got it groiind and 
David and I went to the falls and fished for Eels the night following 

7th -^yg got 26 Eels after some deductions and we let Rob' joues have 30 
Eels to day toward his makeing shoes for us and I fished at the new set- 
ting place and got 9 shad and 42 Eels in the day time and I gave Mrs Karr 15 
Eels for grog and Alex' gave her two and two I lent to Capt Richards and 
two I gave W'" White and 4 of them to make up jones 30 and the Rest we 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 447 

Ibrot home and about 15 that we got at the setting place and we let Joseph 
Bell have 12 Eels for his makeiug along shank Eel hook a year or two ago 
for our Rob' 

10*'^ I fished at the new setting place and got 4 shad and 49 Eels and 
Alex'' came up and we got 120 Eels home 20 we gave james Walker for 
helping us and 12 I let james Gillmore of Merrymac have he gave me V^ 
for 8 of them and the other 4 I gave him and our james got 23 on the 
Island which he let Rob' jones have and I let jones have 20 Eels 

12"' last night james and I got 220 Eels at our Eel place 44 for Alex"^ 
McMurphy on his Right 20 I let David Riddel have for % a bushel of corn I 
am to have and I let Sam^' Moor have 40 toward which I got a peck of 
Bay Salt from him I got 20 from Sam'i Patterson that he owed me and I 
lost them but knows not how 202 came home 

13"' David and I fished at the Eel place last night and we got and got 
99 Eels 10 of which we gave Mrs Karr for grog the Rest came home and 
sent 7(5 to Deacon Smith to pay for Toal of the gi-ain I got ground at his 
mill and sent a mess to Lt Orr 

15 I got a meat tub with a lid cover at a Dollar price and a new Cyder 
barrel from Isaac Atwood to be paid in Eels if we get them and I got % a 
bushel of corn from Widow Riddel for the Eels her son David got from 
me the 12th Instant and I went to Majr Tolford to have Betsey come home 
to do some weaveing for us and lodged there 

16"' I came home on foot and left the mare for her to Ride home on and 
I gave her a dollar to bring the wortli of it in Tobacca from james Pinker- 
tons which she did 

17"' I fished at the new setting place and I got a small salmon of about 
9 or 10 £ 3 shad and 11 Eels and I had i^ a mug of Tody at Esqr Mc- 
Gregores on credit and come home 

18"' I went to the falls and Hacket and David Richards and I got 7 Eels 
and they gave me their part and David staid and got 41 Eels and he brot 
them and my 7 to Capt McLaughlins and let him have them and I had a 
mug of W : I : Tody and a Glass full in water at Esqr McGregores on 
credit and I lodged there that night 

19"' I fished at the new setting place and I got 65 Eels in day light and 
I got 47 in the night time and Alex'' got 5 on the Island and and I let Esqr 
McGregore have 25 Eels to pay for Grog and had % a pint of W : I : sling 
there the morning of the 20th 

20"' I took 40 Eels to Amos Gardners for which he is to give me 2000 of 
shingle nails and I took 52 Eels to Isaac Atwood which paid for the meat 
tub and the Cydar barrel I had there the 15th Instant and I told him I 
ought to have another barrel and he agreed to make me an allowance more 
but we did not agree how much 

2P' last night I got 30 Eels and Alex'' took them away and let Rob' 
jones have 15 of them and the other 15 he took home 

22'' last night I got 24 Eels at our Eel place and 12 from the new Setting 
place and I took them all to Ezek' Lincoln for which lie is to give me 2000 
of shingle nails on the 20th I had K a mxig of Tody and on the 21st a pint 
of Rum up to the falls and on the 22 I had % a pint and a Glass of Rum 



-1:48 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

iu sliug at Esquire McGregores and ou the 21st Stephen French brot me 
five crown peices of silver from Capt Russell toward the Raft he had April 
was a year 

34*'^ Matthew McVea came to make me a Coat of Waled Cotton and 
linen and Joseph Patten helped us Weed corn 

25th ]y£j. McVea finished makeing my coat it had no lining in it and 
David and Alex'' and I workt at weeding our corn 

26"^ I went to the falls and I got two Shad at the setting place and I settled 
my fishing Expences with Esqr McGregore at his house it amounted to 
5/2 he had 25 Eels from me toward it for which he allowed me 3/6 and and 
I had i.T a mug of Tody today for which I paid six pence and I paid him 
1/9 the ballance more than the Eels came to and I had a £ of Coffee from 
him for which I paid him 1 /6 

27"^ I split 20 Rails on the ministerial laud out of two cuts that David 
cut and David brot home 58 Rails that I had spit there before 

28**^ I split 31 Rails there and David and Alex'^ brot the Team to me and 
they went out to cut a corner down Where they were clearing last sum- 
mer that had been left and I brot home 35 Rails and then I brot home 
afterward 35 posts from Fi*enches 

29*'^ David Houston mended both the side Straps of my Spade 

JULY FIRST 

I got Ezek' Lincolns horse and Rob'^ mare and went to Mr Daniel 
Baileys in Weare and lodged there at free cost 

2*1 I got the 6 bushels of corn I paid him for the 21st of last May and 2 
bushels more that I have spoke to him for then and I paid him for the 
two bushels and I paid him for a bushel of corn for Ezek^ Lincoln which 
he sent a Dollar with me to pay for it and I filled it into a bag of Frenches 
and left it at Mr Baileys and I brot my 8 bushels with me and got it 
ground at job Dows and I had the Toal for which I paid half a Dollar and 
I paid ^4 a pistereen for gTOg at Dows and I Reed the Inventory of Eben'" 
Mudgets Estate and swore the apprizers and the adminr and took a dollar 
for it and I swore Alex"" McClentock on the Return of the Inventory of 
his fathers Estate he paid no feas 

3'i I took home Lincolns horse and lent him 40 £ of Indian meal and I 
heard Mr Murry preach in Bedford and I Reed from Capt Russell by the 
hand of Stephen Dole Eleven Dollars Dole told me that Capt Russell sent 
12 but he was obliged to lay out one of them which he promised to pay me 
iu a little time 

4th I Reed 4 Dollars from Chandler toward a barrel of Brandy he had 
from me of 31 34 of a Gallon which John Patten got from Mr James Hor- 
ton for me last week tosvard the Timber Hortou had from Capt Russell of 
mine spring was a year and yesterday our Polly bot a peticoat from Jacob 
McGaw for which she paid 4 DoUars which I gave her and I Reed two 
Dollars from John Patten on Chandlers acct toward the Brandy and I went 
to Amherst 

5"! attended the Sessions and took the proof of two Wills at the Probate 



MATTHEW PATTEISl'S DIARY. 449 

court the Register was sick and could not atteud I got the pay for one 
will and Col Baldwin owes for the proof of one of the two wills I took the 
proof of and I paid General Nichols a Dollar for Recording a Deed I had of 
Capt Stinsons laud and Col Goffes Deposition which I got taken in perpe- 
tuam my Expences was 3/9 % Sam" Moor paid the keeping of the Mare 
over night and my Brealvfast and Diner on the 6th and I got % a thousand 
of Board nails from Means by weight but they fell short 7 score by tale 
for which I paid him 9/ and I got % an Ounce of suuflf from him for 
which I imid 4 copers and I got the Deed I had from Matthew Little of his 
Right in Dartmouth Aclaiowledged by the Court by the Oath of janies 
Cairns one of the witnesses for which I paid 2/ I attended the Sessions 
today (viz) the 6th and came in the evening 

8"^ and 9"' I measui'ed of three peices of laud that Joseph Houston sold 
for Taxes I charged two Dollars a day 

11"' I Run the line between james Thompson and Thomas Laucey 
Thompson is to pay me in Work I was about '^3 of the day on it and I 
worked the Rest of the day at fixing a table for Joseph Houstons affairs of 
the sale of land as a Constable for the year 1780 

12''' I filled six Deeds of land Houston sold for taxes at 3/ each I 
charged 18/ for fixing the aforesaid table which cost me a good deal of 
time this week Capt McLaughlin had my young oxen 3}^ days helping 
him fellow his old field and last week my Brothers had my four Oxen 
heljoing him two days breaking up and I di-awed 1% pint of Brandy from 
Chandler I Reserved what I should need of it when he got it from me and 
Chandler paid the post four shillings for me for new 3 Mo 

13*'' I went to Chandlers with Joseph Houston and I took the acknowl- 
edgement of the six deeds I filled yesterday 3 of them was to Asa Barns 
iinto Rob' Morril one to Sam" Goffe and one to Barnet McKaiii the ac- 
knowledgements unpaid each of them to pay their own acknowledgements 
and I drawed another I'o pin*"' of Brandy from Chandler 

15"' I bot a Bell from Joseph Houston for a dollar to be Discounted in 
the services I have have done for him The whole I did for him a Xen- 
dueing laying off the land he sold writing deeds and other services came 
to 12 Dollars and I answered the tax and charge on No 5 in the 2d Rang 
which amounted to five Dollars and four pence he now owes me six Dollars 
lacking four pence and I took a Gun barrel to Mr Shed that weighed 
iH £ (which I borrowed from John Patten) and am to pay him the weight 
of it in other iron to get 2 Scyths made Shed is to find the Rest of the 
Stuff and I paid him two Dollars toward them 

16"' I brot home a load of Clay from the little meadow 

17"' I brot two load of Clay and David began to mow at the little 
meadow 

18"' I Carted two load of Clay and David and Alex' mowed the Gover- 
nor lott and Raked up part of what David mowed yesterday and on the 
19th I dra\ved a quart of Brandy from Cliandler and my wife got a pint 
some day tliis week 

19"' I brot home one load of Clay 

20"' I brot home a load of hay from the little meadow being the first I 
29 



450 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

brot this year and David took suseys Calf and ours to John Craigs to pas- 
ture 

21"' Mr Davidson preached in Bedford 

32'! I brot a load of hay from the little meadow antl I broke one of the 
fellows of my Cart wheels and David went out and burnt the two peices 
that James and him cut down last year 

23'i David came and lodged at Sam''^ Kennedys last night and today he 
got 26 £ of pork bone and all as the hog live he gave in a pound and 
David paid for 25 at lo a pistereen a pound and I got my Cart wheel 
mended so that I brot home a load of hay in the afternoon 

24th ]V[j- McVea came here to make a Striped linen coat for David and 
Mrs Deely came to make two Gowns for Betsy and Polly and some fitting 
to a pair of Stays 

25tii -^j- McVea finished makeing Davids coat and I paid him two Crown 
peices toward what work he has done for us and David Houston made six 
Cart nails of their iron and drove them and I brot a load of Clay which 
makes 8 load in all 

2(3*'> we Reaped at our Rie being the first except nine sheaves and I 
di'awed a pint of Brandy from Chandler 

27'^ was a pretty Refreshing Rain and we sowed our Cowyard with tiu'- 
nip seed and Mrs Deely finished the Gowns and Stays and charged half a 
Dollar my wife paid her 2/8 of it and /4 we owe her yet and I drawed a 
pint of Brandy from Chandler and David workt this day and yesterday 
and the day before for Capt McLaughlin for his Joseph to Reap two Acres 
of Rie for us and he Reaped part of it 

29"' I drawed a quart of Brandy from Chandler and Alex'' and I Reaped 
8 stooks and 2 sheaves and Joseph Goffe helped Joseph McLaughlin to 
Reap for Davids helping him he was to have reaped two acres for David 
three days work but he Reaped but one acre and % and 4 Rods 

30"' it Rained awhile in the fore part of the day and the afternoon I 
went to Benj" Spragues and Morrisons to get help to Reap Rob' Rie 

31'*' I drawed a quart of Brandy from Chandler and Alexi" and I finished 
Reaping at home all but ten sheaves 

AUGUST FIRST 

we Reaped the 10 sheaves and got in the last of the Rie we have 45 
Stooks and three sheaves and I got two Gallon and a pint of Rum from 
Chandler toward my service done for Joseph Houston about the land he 
sold for Taxes 

2'i I had Benj" Spragues and his Bror and Sam^' Morrison and his son 
"Will"' and his other two Boys and Rob' Spear helped us Reap our Roberts 
Rie Ave finished we have 32 stooks of it and I came home and David and 
Alex' staid over night 

S'^ Alex'' came home in the forenoon and David staid and finished mow- 
ing and Rakeing and cocking the hay and I brot home the flax from by 
Frenches 

4"' Mr Morrison preached in Bedford 



I 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 451 

5"' David aud Alex"" thrashed 3^o stocks of Rie with tho scateriug iu 
pitching we had ahnost 4 bushels aud I cut out 18 Cart fellows 

6"' I workt at mending one of my Cart wheels and the boys thrashed 
otf the Flax sei-d and went to the hill to take in the Rie and hay on Rob'' 
place and Alex^ went to Capt ISIoors mill with two bushels of Rie the first 
of the 

?*•' they took the Rie into Morrisons Barn and the hay into David 
McClarys Barns and came home with the Oxen after night and I workt at 
the cart wheel 

8"' The boys thrashed our Peas and cleaned them we have two bushells 
and above a peck aud David weut to the Meadow in the afternoon toward 
night to mow 

9"' James Houston welded three places of my Cart Tu-e aud made Eleven 
Cart nails of my Iron 

10"^ I brot a load of hay from the meadow and I got 24 £ of pork from 
Ml- Alexander at a shilling a Pound and yesterday toward which I paid 
three Dollars and yesterday I got two gallon and a pint of Rum from 
Chandler there was a prety Refreshing Rain to day 

12*'^ I brot a load of hay from the meadow 

13'h I larot a load of hay 

14th ]^5tii ^jjfi ]^gth ^^yQ }^.^(i Da^ad Houston helping us and finished mow- 
ing at the little meadow oiu- David was out of case these three days and on 
the 16th he drawed two quarts of Brandy from Chandler and I brot home 
four load of hay in these tliree days 

17th T^Q tiuished Rakeing and cocking aud brot home a load and David 
went to Capt Moors mill with almost two bushells of Rie and had it ground 
on the 15th or 16th 

19"» was a fine Refreshing Rain in the morning and also in the evening 

20"' I helped jas Underwood frame at his house the afternoon 

21'^ I brot home two load of hay from the meadow being the last I have 
14 loads in all this year 

22'' and 23'' I helped james Underwood frame and Rais his house we 
Raised the afternoon of the 23d and boarded the most of the Roof and one 
Gabel end and Betsey went to Majr Tolfords and had John Maclaughlins 
horse to Ride and our David went to bring him home and Rob* McMur- 
phys son Alex'' took away the Eels I got on Alex'' McMurphys Right at the 
Eell place at the falls last spring 

24"' David paid Joseph McKinzie three Dollars toward the lawn he wove 
for us aud he gave Doctr Dugal two dollars for Medicins for his use and 
he got 9 £ of Tobacca at jas Pinkertons for which he paid a Dollar and X 
of Tea for which he i)aid 2/6 my wife found a Dollar of the money and he 
come home in the evening much out of case 

26"' james Houston had our 4 oxen and Cart and brot 32 bushels of Cole 
from Lauceys to his shop and I gave Ezra Mudget two Warts one to set off 
his Mothers 3'''' and the other to Divide or apprize his fathers Estate for a 
settlement for them he paid me a Dollar 

27"' james Houston made a new shoe of my iron and set it and one I had 
bofore on Rob'* Mares fore feet and Nathan Shed upset an Ax for me and 



452 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

I got a biishel of Baiiy from William McDoel for which I am to give him 
a bushell of Rie 

28"' I meuded at the joiu fence between and the Meadow and Alex"" 
almost finished mowing in the meadow at home 

29*'' Mr Abbot made a pair of shoes for Alex'^ at our house of our leather 
and Alex'' workt for him with our four Oxen a breaking up and I finished 
mowing and Raked up twelve cocks 

30*'' we brot in what hay we mowed in the meadow at home there was 
about 1 H jag of it 

3lst I got 13^ of a bushell of Rie gi-ouud at Capt Moors mill 

SEPTEMBER 2d 

we brot a load of Boards from Sam" Moors that he sawed for us two or 
three years ago out of Logs we cut in Goff estown 

3*1 I Run lines for John Gardner to be jiaid in work & Underwood brot 
two load of Clay 

4* I brot the Remainder of what boards we had at Sam" Moors and 
Nine Slabs 

5"' I brot two load of Clay and Underwood brot four load 

6*'' I put An Axletree into John Riddels wheels for Underwood and he 
brot two load of Clay with his oxen and one pair of my oxen 

7"' I brot two load of Clay and Underwood brot two load 

gth I -went and brot a load of Slabs from Sam" Moors and I got 4 -v^hite 
pine plank from Moor that measured feet for which I am to draw him 
in logs to pay him and William McLaughlin brot a load of Slabs for Un- 
derwood with his fathers Oxen And Underwood had Amaziah Polard help- 
ing him to make the bed to make the mortar on and the yard and I went 
to makeiug moulds 

10"' I workt at makeiug moulds and Polard liclped Underwood fitting 
the bed and getting sand 

11"' we butchered our two year old Steer he weighed lOC^o £ of beaf 
and 32 of hide and I paid Stephen French 42i'2 £ of beaf for 36 £ I had 
last y'' we struck about one himdred brick 

12"' Major Goffe helped us strick brick and the afternoon I went at 
Asael Smiths desire and measured from the River from the Edy by his 
house to Merrils ferry which was two miles lacking 28 Rods and then 
measured on the west side of the River from Merrils landing to the moiith 
of The Forge brook which -was two miles lacldng 12 Rods 

13"' James Martin junr helped tis about the brick he and Alex'' struck 
about 700 and workt tm-niug up the brick smoothing tlie yard &c 

14"' Alex'^ and I filled the Coop with Clay and Sand and then I went to 
Benjamin Blodgets in Litchfield at his and james Nochar junr and Will'" 
Richardsons desire and began to Run the line on the north end of Brin- 
tons farm and I took li^ bushel of Rie with me and had it ground at Capt 
Sam" Moors mill 

the 10th David paid Jacob McGaw a Dollar toward the Deerskin he had 
from us last winter and 3/ for a X of Tea he bot today 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 453 

16"' James McLaughlin helped Mr Underwood at the brick and Alex'^ 
all day and I the forenoon and the afternoon I held a Coui't at Chandlers 
between janies Yose and Sam" Moor and adjourned it till the last day of 
this month 

17"' Alex'' workt at the brick alone and I took the young oxen up to 
James 

18"' Alex"" and I workt at the brick 

19"' Alex"^ and I workt at the brick and I took the acknowledgment of 
a Deed that David writ yesterday for Joseph Houston for which he paid 
me 7/3 Bay old Tenor 

20"' Alex'' and workt at the Bricli 

21st William McLaughlin worked for Underwood with Alex'' and me at 
the brick in the afternoon I went to Capt Moors mill witli Po bushell of 
Rie and had it ground 

23<^ Alex'^ and I workt at the bric-k 

24th I -^yent to Amherst to the Superiour Court to have the case between 
David Moor and me tryed but had the Coppy of the case with my Deed 
and Thomas Murdoughs Deposition and Col Goffes Deposition that he 
took in perpetuam with several Depositions taken for Mr James Under- 
wood and a Conipt and Wart janies Vose adversus Saniuell Moor were 
all stole out of my saddle bags and I came home in the evening but did not 
get my papers were stole untill next morning I came home to take over 
my Evidences and I gave General Sullivan 3 Dollars 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 24 1782 

25"' I went to Amherst but did not take my evidences over by reason of 
the loss of my papers and when the Court met in the afternoon I had the 
case continued and I tarried on Isaac Mitchells acct untill the 26th at Din- 
ner time I set off for liome John McLaughlin of Newboston found all the 
papers I had stole excepting the coppy of the case and my Deed Col Goflfe 
and Thomas Murdoughs Depositions about 30 or 40 rods from the Court 
house in the Road leading to Newboston north from the Court house my 
Expences at Smiths was 10/ at Hildreths 2/5 at EUinwoods 1/4 at Love- 
joys 1/ to the Clerk for the continuance 1/ for )^' an ounce of snuflf /Sj.^ 

27"' Alex"" workt at the brick and I helped him. % of the afternoon he 
worked at the brick all this week 

28"' Alex'' and I workt at fitting a bed of mortar Carting water sand &c 

30"' Alex' fitted the Bed of Mortar fit for strildug the forenoon and then 
baked brick the latter part of the day he and I had to work stoping the fire 
on our land that Joseph Bell set about a month ago 

OCTOBER FIRST 

it began to Rain in the morning moderatly 

2'' Alex and I struck off 1500 brick 

3'' I went to Amherst and attended the Probate court and Sessions the 
Register took all the fees and I liad done so much business since we were 
together in April that I fell 41/ in his debt which I have of his part of the 
fees my expences was 3/2 and I came home after night and young james 



454 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Houston worked with Alex'^ at the brick the af teruooii for Mr Uiiderwoofl 

4"> Alex and I workt at the brick 

5tii •vf-e workt at the brick and in the Evening it Rained a considerable 
heavy Rain we lost several himch-ed brick with it we made none after this 
faull 

On the 22<i Master Richardson came to set and burn the Brick And 
James Martin Amos Martin and Joseph McLaughlin helped for Underwood 
and 23d the two Martins and W'" McLaxighlin helped for Underwood and 
finished burning the 25tli at night Master Richardsons charge was 2 
bushels of Underwoods salt Underwood found the Rum we iised which 
was l^o Gallons We workt at oui- harvested and finished it about the last 
of the mouth 

NOVEMBER 4th 

I let Patrick Fling have 600 of Brick and I went to Litchfield to Run 
lines for Benjamin Blodget William Richardson and james Nochar junr 
and Run for them the 5th 6tli 7th and 8th which with my Running for 
them the 14th of last Sepember I charged them 10 bushels of corn or as 
much money as would buy it Blodget gave me a dollar in the lieu of one 
bushel they propose to pay the 10 bushels in equal parts 

9"> I Run lines for Ensn Daniel Kendel Lieut Timothy Kendel and Ger- 
rish Harvill Ensn Kendel is to let me have a bushel of corn for the half 
and Gerrish Harvil answered a Dollar for the other half of the day which 
answered toward 11 }{ £ of pork I had from him and his mother on the 6th 
of September 1781 I paid two Dollars in money of it when I got it 

13"! I Run the lines Round the lott no 61 in the 2d Rang for David 
SpragTie for his Reaping for me last summer at oxn- Rob'« Rie 

14"^ Sheds prentice upsett two axes for me and set the head of one of 
them 

15th I Run the lines of 40 acres of land for David Lolly in Litchfield for 
which he is to let me have two bushells of Rie 

19"^ I appointed a hearing on a petition of Doctor Ordway and other for 
which he paid me a dollar and james Houston made four new shoes and 
Nails of my Iron and set them on Roberts mare he found the steel for X 
steel calks 

20"! james Durrah got 500 of Brick and his neighbour Cunningham got 
100 of Brick and I set out for Newbiu-yport and lodged at William Patter- 
sons 

2P' I lodged at Mr Lads tavern in Methuen 
32*^ aiTived in Newburyport and lodged at one Mr Johnsons 
23'i I got a bushel of salt and three dollars in money from Mr James 
Horton toward our timber and I bot a pound of Tea X £ of peper 1^ of 
alspice and a pair of brass buckles from Mrs Tappin for which I paid her 
17/6 and came to Mrs Baruards tavern and lodged there over the Sabath 

25"^ I setled with John Barnard who had the logs from oiu- Robert last 
spring he advanced ten Dollars to Rob* which took 1433 feet of boards to 
pay the money at seven dollars pr thousand and there is 4500 feet ^behind 
toward which he gave me 4 Dollars in money and 6 £ of shugar in the lieu 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 455 

of a Dollar which five Dollars is entered on the back of the note and came 
to Rob' McMurphys and lodged there 

26th J gQt; X 1^ £ of snuff and a cake of Chocolate at james Pinkertou for 
which I paid him 7/ and 1 came home toward sun set 

28"^ WAS THE GENERAL THANKSGIVEING THROUGHOUT 
THE STATE 

29"> I went to Chandlers to take some Depositions for Capt Karr but he 
had concluded not to take them and I went with William Mclntire of 
Derryfield to Capt Sam^i Moors and took a Deposition for him I told him I 
should have a Dollar but I got no pay 

30"^ I Run three of the lines of the third Division No 119 for John Mc- 
intosh and in the Evening I granted Administration on the Estate of 
Peter Hearsee to Duston by consent of the widow I charged him two Dol- 
lars and he paid me one of them 

DECEMBER 3d 

I went Col Goffe and General Stark to Esqr Clagets to get him to draw 
a petition to the General Court to prevent Mrs Hollend from comeing into 
this State and I got a new foot wheel from james Gorman toward my lay- 
ing off land for him in Derryfield a year ago 

'6'^ Mr Jones of Goffestown who lives back from Capt Todds built a new 
Oven for us for which I paid him half a Dollar 

4*'^ I had Underwoods Colt and I took a bushell of Corn and one of Rie 
to Sam'' Moors mill and had it ground and I went to Esqr MacGregores 
and met Col: Goffe and General Starke to sign the petition we were at 
Esqr Clagets about on the 2d Instant 

7tii I "vvent to Sam'^ Moors mill with 2 bushels of corn and a bushel of Rie 
and had it gTOund 

9"» David Houston mended two chains for me he made two new links of 
my Iron for each Chain and shut several links in both Chains and Welded 
one of the Hinges of our out side Door 

10*'^ I drawed two Copys of the petition for preventing Mrs HoUends 
Return and attended a town meeting for accepting or Rejecting the Plan 
of Government the Comtee proposed twelve or thirteen amendments and 
alterations which passed unanimous 

12"' Sam'i Tirrell junr got a Farrow heifer to keep through the winter 
the terms were that if she gave a Quart of milk a day it was to answer her 
keeping and what she came short of that I am to alow him 

14th Alex' and our 4 Oxen went and hauled two loads of wood for james 
Houston and David and the 4 oxen helped them one day to haul the turf 
and three or four load of wood for their Cole pit about three weeks or a 
month ago it was on the ISth or 19th of last November 

1()"' I took a proof of Capt Perhams Will for which the Excr John Per- 
liam pd me 10/5 and I got two sides of Sole leather from Zech Chandler 
one weighed 11 £ and the other 8 Jo £ toward what he owes me I had a 
jill of W: E: Rum and a mug of N: E: Tody today for which and i.i a mug 
I had there a few days ago I paid Mrs Chandler 1/10 

1 7"' I took the proof of Obidiah Worths Will of Andover for whicsh the 



456 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Execr Jonathan Weare Esqr paid me 10/(i and I went to Sam'' Moor.s mill 
with 2 bushel of corn and a bushel of Rie and had it ground 

19"^ I Run the line between young Abraham Merril and Joseph Sanders 
for MeiTil I charged a bushel of Rie which he is to answer to Mr Baker 
for me toward three pecks of Onions my janies had from Baker this faul 
was a year and I took two bushell of corn and one of Rie to Sam^' Moors 
mill and had it Ground 

2P' I took two bushel of corn and a bushel of Rie to Sam^ Moors mill 
but did not get it gTound 

24th J goJ3 f\iQ meal home from Sani'^ Moors of the Grain I took there the 
21st and I settled with Rob' jones for all the work he did for me and my 
sons and Daughters and there was eleven pence the old way and for a load 
of pine carried to his house that we did not set any price I supposed it was 
worth the makeing of three pair of shoes due me 

27"' I agreed with Sam^' Abbot to Cut the stuff on three acres for him 
at 10/ pr acre I am to fall the trees and cut the limbs and fall all the small 
trees and bushes that are large 

28'*^ I paid Joseph McKenzie 17/6 being all I owed him for what Lawn 
he ever wove for us and took his Rect in full and I went to Deacon smiths 
mill with two bushel of corn and a bushel of Rie and had it ground and I 
had the toal 

30"' I Run lins for Deacon Miller and John Aiken they propose to pay 
me over awhile and David and Alex'' worked at cutting down the stuff on 
the laud I am to cut for Sam" Abbot the night following there fell a snow 
about nine or ten inches deep 

JANUARY FIRST 1783 

I held a Coiu't wherein Esqr Little was Plant and Deacon White was 
Deft White was Defaulted I gave Esqr Little my part of the fees on acct 
of his going to Cairns and takeing the acknowledgment of a Deed for me 
some years ago that he would not take any pay for my part of the fees was 
5/9 

7tii young James Martin helped us with 4 Oxen to di'aw out logs with his 
Team and ours we hauled out 18 logs and my Brors Son Joseph Cut logs 
for us 
8"' Alex' Cut logs for Joseph Patten an Exceeding cold day 
gth I -went to Amherst to the Probate Court and lodged at Smiths 
10*'' I attended the Sessions in the forenoon in the afternoon I bot H £ 
of Copperas a pound of AUum and a Quire of paper from Mr Means for 
which I paid him 5/ the Regr took all the fees we got that I fell 2/ more 
in his debt than I was before on our settlement last probate day which 
was then 41/ my Expences at Smiths was 6/8 which I paid and I paid Mr 
Smith 7/10 for Col: Goffs Expences at the Superiour Court last Septer and 
I came to Capt: Love joys and lodged there this day and last night and the 
night following a very Violent Snow Storm the wind at N: E: 

11th jjjy Expences at Capt Lovejoys was 3/10 which I paid and I bot 21 
£ of fresh Cod from Capt Lovejoy for which I paid him 3/6 and ten pence 
for his son Abbot bringing them from Mr princes who brot the fish up to 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 45T 

his house aud johu Mclutosh and I broke the path home yesterday I Reed 
10/2 from Col: Baldwin for the proof of one Boutells will taken last July 
and was Reckoned to me by the Regr in our settlement And today I Reed 
from John Patten a pound of Tea three pound of Coffee and six pound of 
Shugar came to four dollars on acct of four pine loggs that the boys left at 
Pentucket last spring that made 1010 feet of boards 

On the 6th I bot six pound of Dirty Tallow from Oliver Emerson and am 
to pay him in Brick there was no price agi-eed on by Reason that we did 
not know the price of tallow there was but 0)2 £ ^^^^ ^^^ Ounce of it when 
we scraped the dirt off it It had been too severely tried and was a very 
dark colour and wasted in the burning in Candles 

15tu -^j. Samii Abbot finished makeing 6 pair of Shoes for us (viz) 2 pair 
of mens and 4 pair of womens and soled one pair for me and 2 pair for the 
Girls this week I got a pint of Riim from Chandler to be settled 

16*'' I got 2 £ and 5 ounces of Steel at 1/9 pr £ and a pint of Rum from 
Jacob IMcGaw for which I paid him 4/10 

i;th I went to Weare to Grant Admr on Asa Heaths Estate to his 
Widow and lodged there 

Igth I granted admr to the widow I charged her 30/ for my journey and 
the fees and she paid me the money and I came home I was five coppers 
of Expences at Dows and as I came home I paid Capt Robys wife for Lt 
Roby of Chester }i dollar which I owed him and was to leave it there for 
him by agTeemeut 

20*'' I took a part of Bar of Forge Iron to Mr Sheds of 33 £ for which he 
is to let me have Spanish or Sweeds iron to make a chain for loging a nd he 
laid an ax for me the Steel was mine and I gave him half a Dollar in 
money and I granted Guardianship to Thomas Shirley of John Smith for 
which he paid me a Dollar 

22'' I went to james Pinkertous and got 1>^ £ of snufif an almanack and 
two Small mugs for wich I paid 7/6 and I took home Mr Giles Slay that I 
borrowed last March to bring a barrel of Rum on from his house when 
mine broke there 

24"' I went to Deacon Smiths Mill with two bushels of corn and one of 
Rie aud Adam Ground it and I had the Toal 

25"' I went to Deacon Smiths Mill with two bushels of corn and one of 
Rie and Adam ground it and I had the toal aud I paid Adam nine pence 
for a mug 

27"' William Newman Steeled the toes of the mares four shoes and Set 
them the Steel was mine and the iron for half the Nails 

28"^ I went to Deacon Smiths mill with two bushels of corn and one of 
Rie and Deacon ground it and I had the toal and I gave Deacon Moor and 
his son three Notifications to hear Tho* Murdoughs Deposition taken next 
Friday at Murdoughs house in Hillsboro 

29"' I set out for Hillsboro and I kxlged at Doctor Hoits in Weare 

30"' went to Thomas Murdoughs and I lodged there 

81"' Esqr Andrews came to Murdoughs and took his Deposition and 
Deacon Moor attended and I came to Esqr Andrews mth him and lodged 
there I gave him 3/4 for his trouble 



458 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

FEBRUARY FIRST 

I came to James Caii-us aud loged there 

2^ I came home my Expeuces this journey was 2/11 beside what I paid 
Esqr Andi-ews and I Reed a dollar from Alex'' McClintock toward his 
Aduu- on his fathers Estate being the first he has paid for the Admr aud 
Return of the Inventory on the 30th of last month I granted Admr on the 
Estate of Reuben Trusel to his Widow Love Trusel no fees paid 

4"^ Lieut Colburn of HoUis came to have me go to Hollis to settle his 
sister Smiths admr acct and to order a Distribution of the Estate on which 
I appointed to go there the 6th aud writ a letter to the Regr to meet me 
there then and Mr Colburn carried it to him 

Qth J "VYent to Hollis on the above business aud lodged at Capt Rogers 

7* was on the busines and finished a little before sun set Colburn gave 
me a note for 2-8-0 for my trouble and I came and lodged at Mr Colburns 
and he the same Evening he paid me 13/4 of the note Capt Rogers would 
not take any pay for my Entertainment 

8"' I came home I Reed 9/4 from the Regx of fees my Expences was 2/ 
at Spaldings 

10"^ I went to Sheds and he laid an ax for me the iron aud Steel his last 
night there fell a snow ten inches or more deep 

12*'^ I went with Lieut Abra'" Read to the north sid of Goffestown 
two miles above Esqr Blodgets and took Tho" Karr junr wifes Deposition 
for him in his case with Enos McDaniel he coiild not pay me 

13* I went to Esqr McGregores and I got three pound of shugar and 1,1.2 
mug of tody for which I paid 5/3 and I got two old Hogsheads that I did 
not pay for and I got three pound of shugar there yesterday and iw a mug 
of tody for which I paid yesterday 3/9 

17"^ a great Rain and thaw 

18"^ I set out for Amsbuxy and lodged at Robert McMurphys 

19'^^ I arrived at Amsbury and lodged at Mrs. Baruards Exceeding Ijad 
traviling 

20"> spent the day about there aud lodged at Mrs Baruards 

21*** I settled vnth John Barnard for the 5 dollars he had paid me toward 
the 4500 feet of Boards he owed me and I took his note for 3900 on 
Demand and I paid him back a pistereen so as to make the Remainder 
even Quantity of boards and I came to Rob' McMui'phys and lodged there 

22<i I came home but had to leave the Mare at Mr John Griffins and 
come over against his house on the Ice 

23«i I went up by Esq McGregores and got over in the boat and got the 
mare and come over on the Ice at Merrils I had j4 a mug of tody and my 
ferriage at McGregores for which I paid a shilling my whole Expeuces 
this journey was 13/ last week our folks went to Deacon Smiths mill with 
six bushels of Rie and two of Indian and Adam smith ground it and the 
boys cleaned up our Rie there was 38I2 bushels of it out of 29 Stooks and 
8 sheaves we had cleaned 21 bush ells in the faul which makes 59}^' bushels 
in all the last years crop 

24tii -we hauld 3 logs ^\^tll our own team to Orrs mill 



MATTHEW patten's DIAEY. 459 

25"^ we hauld 3 logs to Orrs mill 

26tii -y^re hauld three logs to Orrs mill 

27th ^^m McLaughlin helped us with their four Oxen and we had fotir 
Oxen from my brors and we made two teams and hauld six logs to Orrs 
mill and David hauld two logs there last week makeiug 16 in all that we 
have now at Orrs mill 

38"' I attended the funeral of Widow Gillmor 

MARCH THIRD 

David and Alex'' and oiu* four oxen and Cart worked for John and Joseph 
Patten hauling Gravel for then- mill dam 

4*'' the two boys and team hauled Gravel as yesterday 

,5th I -went to James Gormans to get spining wheels but got none and in 
the afternoon Doctor Duston Returned the Inventory of Peter Hearsees 
Estate and I gave him a Commission to renew and Examin the claims 
I charged 7/ he paid me 7/4 which is four pence toward the Dollar he 
owes for administration 

7"^ I spent the day trying to Settle with Wilhani Newman I got of his 
acct from his book which amounted to 3-10-10 Lawful which was kept 
in Bay old Tenor there was a boat hook made today which was added in 
the aforesaid sum 

8*'* I spent the day with Mr Rand and Zech Chandler two of a conitee of 
the town and james Vose at Chandlers on town business which was 
submitted to me by the conitee and Vose 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MARCH 8 1783 

10"! I paid Adam Dickey 35/8 by an Order from Lieut Orr as town 
Treasurer and two Dollars by Capt McLaughlin which McLaughlin Reed 
from Capt Rusell for me 

11th I got a writ from james Underwood agt William Newman after 
trying to a number of times to get him to settle but could not beside 
useing me with disagreeable language he agreed that I should have three 
sheep that Capt McLaughlin has of his keeping for him and that they 
should be mine from that time but he offered to sell them to Capt 
McLaughlin afterward 

12"' I spent all the forenoon and part of the afternoon with Mr Martin 
on the affair of Newman and mine but he had no authority to Settle after 
spending so much time 

13"' I got my bror sam"« young sorrel horse and set away about sun set 
and went to Lieut McCurdys and lodged there 

14"' I got Sherriff Green and attached William Newmans Double Slea 
and one trace of Sea cow skin and one horse Collar for which Service 
I paid Green nine Shillings my Expences was 3/8 and I came home that 
night 

17"' james Vose attached three sheep at Capt McLaughlins and a 
Chimney Crane and the hooks that fastened it in the Chimney of New- 
mans and I left the sheep with Capt McLaughlin and I took the Crane 
and liooks and left them at Capt McLaughlin Voses fees was 3/ and he 



460 MATTHEW patten's DIAltY. 

gave it to me and I went to Rob' Giffins and Veudued his place and a pair 
of Oxen but there was no sale and I got two pails from Asa Swinerton he 
owed me 4/ the old way since the 24th of November 1781 and I took the 
two pails for it and I qnit him the Remainder and I got six Deed blanks 
from General Nicholsson toward which I i)aid him 14/ Bay old tenor he 
said they were six pence Lawful each 

20'^! I let John Lincoln have one half a bushel of corn by his son for 
Cooper work he did for us 

21^' I went to Deacon smiths mill with four bushels of corn and two of 
Rie and Adam Smith ground it 

22^1 I writ a Mortgage deed for Ensign Chubbuck from him to Sam" 
Barnett of the Easterly lott of W" Barnetts old place and I vn-it a bill of 
sale for Joseph Symonds of Derryfield for which and the acknowledgment 
of it I charged him 2/ he promised to leave it at Chandlers for me as he 
went home 

24th Night before last and yesterday there fell a snow of about six 
inches deep and the boys started before break of day and we hauled five 
logs to the River we had Major Goftes foiu- oxen to help us with two of 
them in the afternoon 

25"' we hauled two logs being the last of the white pine plank logs that 
the boys had hauled out being 30 in number and ;J board logs that the 
boys has got to the River this winter 

26"* was our annual meeting and I swore 32 persons the oath prescribed 
by the state and I swore the town Clerk and the three Selectmen 

27"' I got a spining wheel from james Gorman toward my laying off 
land for him in Derryfield faul was a year and I came to Capt Moors and 
could not get over the River and lay there over night 

28"' I swore John Vickere the Oath of Alegince to the State and gave 
him a Certificate and I ^^Tit a power of Attornej' for him to Mr Atherton 
to be paid in corn baskets and I got two Boar pigs from Stephen French 

29"' I held a court George Little Plat (vs) John Caldwell McNeal Deft 
the Deft was Defaulted judment for 1-12-6 cost 19/9 execution to be 
stayed a fortnight Two other writs Returned one George Little Plant (vs) 
W'" Boyd Deft settled after it came here the other josejoh Bell (vs) Hugh 
Montgomery Deft the case settled here I Reed an order on Capt Hildreth 
for 24 / to pay my own and Mr Underwoods and the sherif Voses fees the 
Remainder to be Retm-ned to Bell 

APRIL FIRST 

the boys with Joseph Bell and David C HOUSTON with Bells oxen 
and some of Lieut Orrs oxen hauled our 16 Logs onto the ways at Orrs 
saw mill and we had one log sawed into stuff for Cannoes and Joseph Bell 
and David C" Houston got four boards to make them a Cannoe And I 
Reed two Dollars from Chandler toward what he owes me and Rob* Giffin 
gave me a Dollar for my Venduing his place the 17"' Instant and I Reed 
a Dollar from Doctor Hoit toward my granting Admr on Reuben Trussells 
Estate and I lodged at Smiths and I Entered mv case against William 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 461 

Newman for which I paid 10/ and I Reed a Dollar from David Sessions 
toward the pay for ^^Titiug deeds for liim faul was a year 

2'' I paid the Clerk 18/ for the Coppy of my case with Deacon Moor 

3'' was Pi-obate Court the Regr told me he took 15 Dollars of fees I took 
3 of them and he had the other 12 

4"i I attended the Coui-t and William Newman was Defaulted iu my 
case agt him and in the evening I made oath to my acct and the hill of 
cost taxed and alowed of 3-0-6 

5*'* this day and the two succeeding days I attended the Sessions and 
came home my Expences at Smiths was 13/2 and at Lovejoys 2/3 on the 2d 
I gave Tho" Willsou of Newboston a Dollar to carrie to his sou Tho^ for 
Tobacca I had from him faul was a year and I Reed 6/8 from Prentice 
Willard to get some Deeds from Col : Goffe for his father 

7"' I drawed a license to Mrs Sullivan to sell her husbands Estate and 
drawed an Advertisement for her of the Sale and Alex'' and I went to 
Lieut Orrs saw mill and drawed off the boards our 10 logs made I had the 
whole of them and am to pay Orr for sawing them they made 5839 feet 

gth I gQ^ a pound of snuflf and a fine tooth comb from McGaw for which 
I paid him 4/9 and I swore W Gillmore constable and james Vose & jos 
Houston Surveyors 

gth I -writ a Deed from Ensign Cliubbuck to John Lincoln and I paid 
Joseph Bell 6/2 the Remainder of his Debt he Sued Hugh Montgomery 
for which I Reed by an order of 24 / from Montgomery on Capt : Hildreth 
and on the 4th I paid james Vose 5/ for his service out of the money 
I Reed from Hildreth and Underwoods part of the fees of 8/1 which he 
allowed me to keep and give him credit for it in our acct my own fees 
was 4/9 which made the 24/1 Reed on the order from Capt Hildreth and 
I went twice to Deacon Smiths mill with two bushells of Rie each time 
and the Deacon Ground it 

10"' I took the acluiowledgmeut of a Deed for james Reed unpaid 

1 1"' i went Lieut Walkers in Merrymac on a hearing concerning the 
insufficiency of the Bondsmen on the admr of one Moshers Estate of 
Hollis the widow gave up her Right to one Tirney they paid the Regr and 
me two Dollars each and they paid our Expences I had my Brors Sorrel 
Colt to Ride on and I hot X of Tea i^ a mug of Tody at at MacGaws for 
which I paid 3/ 

12*'' I went to Deacon Smiths mill with two bushels of Corn and the 
Deacon Ground it for me 

14''' I took two bushels of corn to Deacon Smiths mill and Adam ground 
it and I split sticks at Orr mill for sticking up our boards 

17"' I swore Magnus Beckey to an acct against David Richards and took 
the acknowledgement of a power for him to james Underwood unpd and 
I went to Orrs mill and Sticked up 10 stocks of Boards and I come by Mr 
Alexanders and got two Sow pigs from him on credit 

18"' I Vendued Mrs Sullivans personal Estate I bid off 5 Cane backt 
chairs at 15/6 and a musick book at 2/ and I Vendued the place at 182 
Dollars to John Boies my pay will go toward what I bot 

19"' james Vose attached the three Sheep and the Crane by Execution 



462 :nATTHEW patten's diary. 

that was attached by the ^vrit of NeAvinau aud advertised them to be sold 
at Chandlers the 25th lustaut at 3 o clock P M 

2P' "we had Tho* Laucey aud Aiuos Martiu all day Aud Bishop Costou 
the afternoon and got the pine Logs over INIoors falls and jauies aud Da-sid 
aud Bishop Costou went along ■with them our Expeuces at McGaws 
including two pound of shugar I brot home was 5/3 which I paid we had 
a jill of Brandy a pint and half of "West India Rum and two mugs of tody 
at Chandlers today to be settled in our acct 

22*1 I weut to Amherst at Sam^^ Dodges desire to grant Admr to one 
Mary Nick of Reading of her late Husbands Estate Dodge paid me five 
Dollars for the fees aud my trouble she had a License to Sell the land and 
I came to Capt Lovejoys and lodged there my Expeuces there at Lovejoys 
was 1/6 which I paid 

23^1 I came home from Amherst And the afternoon I went to Capt 
McLaiighlius where janies Vosc met me aud we took the Sheep aud Crane 
to Chandlers and the three sheep were sold for 19/ and the 3 £ of wool 
for 5/ aud the Craue for 20/ all to Underwood for me Voses fees was a dollar 
there was 3 uiugs of today was three pistereeus one of them I gave the 
other two were charged in the expeuce of the Vendue made 8/5 that there 
was 35/7 toward the Execution 

24ti» I weut and Run some lines for Rob' Alexander aud Lieut Smith I 
charged them i^ a Dollar Smith is to pay Alexander the half of it aud he 
to settle vrith. me and Alex'' got two bushels of Spring Rie from INIr Beuj" 
Stevens of Goffesto^^^l for two of Winter Rie 

25"^ I sowed the two biishels of Rie Alex"" got changed yesterday aud I 
went to Widow Gillmores in Goffestowu aud see the heirs of her husbands 
Estate sign their Quitclaims and they all acknoAvl edged them Capt Dun- 
lap was not there all the others was I charged them three dollars for 
^vritiug the four deeds and attendance today aud the acknowledgments 
they could not pay me I wi'it the four deeds in November ITSO but did not 
then charge for them and have charged them this day 

26"' I weut to Orrs mill and Sticked up the Remainder of om- boards 
and the afternoon I attended Sam" Trulls funeral who was drowned in 
Goffes falls the sun about hour high at night the 24th lustaut 

28"^ I workt a building Rocks tinder the Rail fence by Frenches 

39«i' I Arbitrated with Capt McLaughlin between John Mcintosh aud 
Eusign Chubbuck aud Ehsha Lincoln of the damage they did by Gather- 
ing tar pine ou Mclutoshes land they settled and Chubbuck aud Lincoln 
was to pay me I did not tell them what I charged aud I attended a town 
meeting and I Reed a Dollar from Capt Dunlap ^ j of it the allowed toward 
his part of the Deeds &c of the Settlement of Rob' Gillmores Estate 
among the heirs and the other I4 he allowed for Whitefield Gillmors toward 
his part and the Remaiuiug ^r. dollar' of Whitefields I offset for the use of 
his harrow faul was two year harrowing in my Rob'* Rie 

'dO^^ Mr Samuell Abbot sowed ou a pair of Soles ou my Shoes a pair ou 
Alex'' and weut to INIcGaws and got i.s a pound of snuff for which I paid 
2/ 



MATTHEW TATTEN's DIAKY, 463 

MAY FIRST 

I had my Brors Roaud Colt and I weut to Concord Expecting that 
Nath" Green would have sold Ne-\vmans Slay but he had not advertised it 
and come to Capt Tods and I lodged there at free cost only H a mug of 
Tody I gave /9/ pence and I would not take any change my Expences 
was 3/ on the journey and I bot JX of Tea from Duncan for which I paid 
1/10 

2^ I came home about the middle of the day 

3'! David with our four oxen workt for Jas Wallace 

5'*^ James Wallace and his pair of Oxen workt for us acros plowing by 
Frenc'hes 

6"^ I went to Amherst with Col : Goffes and our james David and Alex' 
as witnesses in Deacon Moors Case and mine but there being but two 
judges beside Mr Livermore we could hot have it tried and I came home 
to bring several Depositions I had taken last year for james Underwood 
and the boys came home also 

7"' the boys and I went back to Amherst Col : Goffe staied there Deacon 
Moor got the case continued and in the afternoon judge Laugdon came 

8"^ I thot Deacon Moor would be mlliug to go with me and have the 
case determined and I wi'it him a line but he sent me for answer that he 
was not Ready and the case was continued I was so Sanguine in the mat- 
ter that he would be willing to have it tried that I got Col : Goffe and my 
three sons to go over but was wholy disappointed by his Refusal 

gth -^g ^11 caijie home the first day of the Court I give General Sullivan 
tour Dollars I gave him three last faul made seven and I gave my note for 
ten Dollars more on Demand with Intrest Col : Goffes my own and my 
three sons Expences was 26/ four of it I paid at Lovejoys and the Remain- 
ing 22/ I owe to Smith and in the afternoon I went to the falls but could 
not catch a fish and borrowed a shad from David Farmer and bot two 
from Benj" Karr for which I paid him a shilling and I came to Esqr Mac- 
Gregores and got 4 £ of shugar for which I paid ^,4 a Dollar and I had }4 ^ 
bowle of punch for which I paid nine pence james bot 13 El wives at 
Cohass brook for which he paid a penny apeice On the 7th I granted admn 
Debonis nou on the Estate of joshua Hale to his oldest son for which he 
paid me 10/6 

10"> the boys planted two bushels of potatoes 

12"^ they planted some more than 2 3^ bushel of potatoes and David got 
60 Ehvives at Cohass and I got 7 at the falls and I got a Cake of Choco- 
late at Esqr McGregores that I did not pay for 

13"* I gave David 8/ to go to Pentucket to see to Sell his logs he had 
there he helped Widow Riddels son down with their Raft and I got I4' 
bushell of oats from Lieut Vose for which I paid 4/0 and I got 4 bushell 
of potatoes from John Wallaces sons for which I paid 10/ and our james 
got 250 Elwives at Cohass Brook 

14"* I sowed the Oats I got at Lieut Voses yesterday and I sowed ab(iut 
seven Quarts of peas and I took two bushels of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill 
but did not get it ground and left it and I got a peck of Salt from Adam 



464 MATTHEW 1'ATTEN'S BIAUY. 

Smitli and promised to pay it tlie latter end of this week or the begiuuiiig 
of uext 

15"> I Run lines for Col : Goffe on his place in Derryfield 

17*'* Adam Smith Ground the two bushels of Rie I took to mill the 14th 
and I took two bvishels of Rie there today and I paid Adam Smith 3/ for 
the peck of Salt I had from him the 14th Instant 

19"! Deacon Smith Ground the two bushels of Rie I took there to mill 
the 17th and I took two bushels of Indian corn there today And I writ a 
long Deed and Mortgage and five notes and took the acknowledgments 
the Deeds for David Sessions and Levi Hastings for which I charged them 
a Dollar and Sessions paid me the half of it 

20"* I took two bushels of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and left it and I 
got the Meal of the Indian I took there yesterday the Deacon ground it 

21^' James brot home the Cow from Samuel Turrils junr that he had a 
wintering for us and I went to McGaws and I got ).^ a pound of Snuff and 
14 of Tea for which I paid him 3/8 And james and David Avent to the Falls 
to try for Eels David got 4 and james got none 

22'' I knit an Ellwive net and james went to Litchfield 
' 23'! I went to the falls and got 5 shad and I staid till into the Evening 
and james came and I then come off home my brors Joseph fished with us 
the afternoon and Evening we got before I came away I suppose about 15 
Eels 

24"* Joseph Patten and james came home and brot 40 Eels apeice Alex"" 
went up for them with his Uncles mare and I lent David Moor a bushel of 
Rie 

26"* james and David and I went to the falls to fish for Eels james and 
I got 155 Eels at the setting place David got 53 on the Island 20 of them 
David let Bob Spear have 32 of them come home And I lent Capt Mc- 
Laughlins wife a bushel of Rie on the 23d I had )^ a bowle and a Glass of 
W : I : Rum at Esqr McGregores on Credit and ^ a bowle of Brandy tody 
today I had a pint of Brandy to carrie to the setting jjlace on Credit and 
jos Patten paid the pint next morning 

27"* David sent home 17 Eels on his uncles mare and I fished at om- 
Setting place and I catched 3 shad and about 30 Elwives the shad was 
stole by Bob Richards and I found it out and he promised to give me 3 
more in their Room and the night following I got 47 Eels 

29"* last night David and I got 244 Eels 80 of them my bror brot home 
on his Mare and I let Capt Dunlap have 60 and DaA-id ordered joseioh 
Craig 20 but he got none and Robert Morrill got them being 104 and I had 
}.< pint of W: I: Rum at McGregores today and a pint yesterday on 
credit 

30"* I brot Home the two bushels of Rie meal from Deacon Smiths mill 
I took the rie there the 20th the Deacon ground it and I took two bushels 
of Rie there to day and left it 

31^' james and DaAdd got 250 Eels they let Lieut Orr and Lieut Adam 
Smith have 182 toward SaAving and Toal of grain I had from tliem 



isiATTHEW tatten's diahy. 465 



JUNE 2d 



I got ^-2 a pint of Rum from Ze(>h Chandler on credit and I went to the 
falls and I got 4 shad I catched them in the Rilpit and I got 5 Eels at the 
setting place in the night following and I gave W'" Bell 4 of them for two 
mugs of Cydar I had from him and I sent Alex'' to Sam^^ Smiths of New- 
hoston for a Mare I hot from him the ;Ust iilt I am to give 7-10-0 for her 
and to pay it to Sami' Goffe in a year with Intrest 

3'' I went to james place and took out his provision for him and Run 
Round the land I hot of Stiuson farm and Northside and East end of 
What I hot of the Dorr lot so called 

4th I granted administration on the Estate of Daniel Flanders late of 
Warner to his Widow Apphia for which she paid me 10/6 And my Polly 
paid Jacob McGaw a dollar for a £ of Snxiff a }4 of Tea pins &c and I 
gave Sam" Goffe my note for 33 )4 ounces of Silver for the Mare I had of 
Smith yesterday 

5"' The forenoon I drawed a Wart to set of Widow McCoys Dower and 
a License to the Admr Sam" Farriugton to Sell part of the Estate And the 
afternoon I held a Court between William McDuffee Copt and William 
Duncan Respt for lieing I judged Duncan Guilty from which he Appealed 
on the 4th I made out a wart to set off to Widow McCoy her Dower out 
<:)f her late husband Frances McCoys Estate and a License to the Admr to 
sell his Estate to pay his debt the fees unpd 

6"' was a prety Refreshing Rain tho not a great Quantity And in the 
afternoon I went to the Falls and I Catched a Small Salmon and A shad 
and Alex' came up at Evening and he and Sam" Patterson and I fished 
Eels and we got 85 among us Alex' and I liad Fifty seven And Patterson 
paid Alex' 8 that he owed him and Alex' let Matthew McVea have 34 Eels 
I had a jill of W: I: Rum last night and another this morning at Esq' Mc- 
Gregors on credit 

9*"' I took two btishels of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and I brot home 
^leal of two bushels of Rie I took there the 30th ult and I Run some lines 
for the two Doles I charged them 1/^ bushel of Corn they did not pay me 
and I held a Court james Cau-ns Plant (vs) Barnabas McGinnes Deft the 
Deft was Defaulted 

10"' I Reed a shilling from Isaac Riddel for takeing the Acknowledg- 
ment of a Deed from Nath" Spoford to him some time ago 

ll'h I 'Run lines for Ensign Benj" Vickere to be paid next faul and I 
bot 4 £ of shugar McGaw for which I paid him 3/ 

12"' I brot home the five chairs from Mrs SuUivans that I bot at her 
Vendue the 18th of last April and Mrs Sullivan made a present to our 
Polly of a broken Oval table there was one leg gone and one leaf was in 
three pieces and cant be mended 

14"' I went to McGaws and got }4 £ of Snuff X of Tea a yard of Calli- 
manco and 5 yards of shoe linging for which I paid him 5/7 

17"' I took two bushels of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and left it and brot 
home the meal of the two bushels I took there the 9th 

18"' I took two bushels of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and left it 



466 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

and brot home the Meal of the two bushels I took there yesterday 
Aud Alex' took two bushels this in the afternoon and left it and brot 
home the Meal of the two bushels I took there today and james fell trees 
between & the meadow aud he and Abel Turril fell trees there the 16th 
Turril workt for james and the ITtli james hoed for us 

19"' Abel Turril fell trees for us in my james pay and we hoed potatoes 
20tii A great Shower and I went to Col Goflfes for to Get what Deeds he 
had for Col: Willard of land in the township of Dartmouth he said he had 
but one and that not paid for that if I took it I must Engage to pay Eight 
Dollars which I would not do 

2P' Samuel Abbot made a pair of shoes for me at my house and james 
Houston set two shoes ou my mares fore feet And I went to Deacon 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JUNE 21st 1783 AND PART 

OF SAID DAY. 

Smiths Mill and took two bushels of Rie with me aud left it and I brot 
home the meal of the two bushels of Rie Alex' took there the 18th 

23'i Alex' took two bus hels of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and left it 

24th I "v^ent out to james place to help him to frame his Corn barn and 
Joseph and Alex' went out to day to help him and David went out yester- 
day and piit the Cills together and Alex' got foiu- Gallon of Rum from 
Adam Dickey to use at the frame and Rais it and I took it out with me 

25*'^ we all framed 

26"' we got Ready and finished Raising by sun Set and Jos David and 
I went to Alex Gilcrists and lodged "over night 

27*11 we all came home and in the Afternoon I went to Chandlers to try 
a case between Alex' Willson aud james Hunters wife they left it to Arbi- 
tration which was not finished untill next morning we were up all night 
I got a Dollar for my fees 

28"' I came home the Sun about an hour high and Slept untill nine 
oclock and in the afternoon I went to Chandlers to arbitrate between 
james Patterson and John Riddel I got home about Dark 

SO"! my james brot me two bushels of Indian corn from Esqr Under- 
woods on David Lolleys account being for my Runing lines for Lolley a 
day last faul And on the 27tli I writ a deed from her that was Sarali 
Barron to Phineas Aiken and took the acknowledgment for which they 
paid me 2/ 

JULY FIRST -x 

I went to McGaws and I got ^2 £ of Tea and four £ of shugar aud got a 
pound of snuif changed that our Polly got there the 4th of last June 
and }-2 a mug of Brandy tody for which I paid him 6/6 and I came home 
by Deacon Smiths aud brot home the Meal of the two bushels of Rie I 
took there the 21st of June and last night 1 brot home the meal of the two 
bushels Alex' took there the 23d of June And yesterday in the afternoon I 
gave William McDuflfie a summons for Lieut james Moor and I attended 
at "Widow Riddels and swore the Witnesses in his and William Newmans 
case before the Arbitrators and David and Alex' finished cutting down 
two acres for Sam'' Abbot 



/ 



/ 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 467 

2^' jaines Houston Sharpened my seed plow Irons and we began to 
Mould our Corn and I took W" Wallaces two Inch Auger that we had at 
James Baru frame 

'd'^ I went to Amherst to the Probate court the Regr took all the fees 
and had not enough by I forgot how much since last probate day I had 
done more than him I came home in the Evening ijiy Expences was 2/1 
and I Reed two Dollars from William Duncan toward the cost in the case 
between him and William McDuffie and a note for six dollars more 

4th -yve workt at moulding the crorn and potatoes 

5"^ Underwoods man Powers helped us he and I workt at Piscataquog 
Bridge a Repairing it and I took the two bushels of Indian corn to Sam'^ 
Moors mill that my janies brot from Esqr Underwoods the 30th of June 
last and left it 

7'^^ we workt at Moulding the corn and beans 

gth J gQ^; home the meal of the corn I left at Samuel Moors mill the oth 
and I got a Gallon of Molasses and a bushel of Salt and 8 Crowns from 
Adam Dickey toward the boards he sold of mine at Amsbury 

9*'i we plowed among and hoed at the Corn by Frenches 

10"' was a day of Rejoicing in this town on acct of the peace and I Reed 
a dollar from William Duncan toward his note he gave me for the cost in 
his case with Will'" McDuflS.e and he (viz) Duncan settled with the Con- 
stable and paid him and John Riddel Hugh Riddel and John Moor forgive 
their fees the Constables and the three Witnesses fees and the dollar he 
gave me I endorsed on the note being 1-1-5 and in the afternoon and 
Evening several thunder showers which produced a great deal of Rain 

11"' and 13''' moulded at the corn by Frenches on the 11th was consider- 
able of Rain 

14'*' was a gi-eat shower and we hoed about half the day by Frenches 

15"' I sent 1-8-0 Lawful by my james to William Patterson of Litch- 
field being all I owed him and his son Peter for grain and a Dollar Peter 
lent me last faul as I was going to Newbury and I also sent a Dollar and 
he got ^4 £ of Tea and 4 £ of shugar at McGaws for which he paid 5/6 
and he brot a bushel of corn of his own from Litchfield and had it ground 
at Deacon Smiths mill 

16"' we finished hoeing our corn by Frenches and in the afternoon we 
began to plow the north field and David set out for Newbury 

17"' we plowed all day 

18"' and 19"' Alex"- and I plowed 

2P' Da\T.d and I plowed in the forenoon Alex'^ was unwell and in the 
afternoon I got james Houston to lay the Colter of my Breaking up plow 
irons the Iron and Steel mine and Sharped the Shear 

22'i I had Joseph Patten and thoii- tlirce pair of Oxen and Grigs Goffe 
and liis fathers four Oxen helping us break up between and the meadow 
and Eben' French helped us drive and I got two Quarts of Rum from 
Chandler 

24"' An exceeding hot day that it killed some of the Frencli turnip 
leav(!S and the edges of a number of the leaves 

35"' very hot the forenoon in the afternoon a Shower which cooled the 
Air 



468 MATTHEW patten's DIAltY. 

26"^ I sent Alex'^ to Litchfield aud lie got a bushel of Corn from james 
Nochar jiiur toward my Riming lines for him last faul and he got 4 £ of 
shugar from Majr McQueston for ^yhich he paid 2/8 and he got ^<2 ^ of 
tea at McGaAvs for which he paid 2/6 and his ferriage and f.< a mug of 
tody aud 4 fish hooks he jsaid 1/2 and we finished fellowing Ground 
for Rie 

3lBt y^Q all went up to Rob''* place and began to mow a Polly got 16 ^o £ 
of pork from Mr Alexander toward which she paid 13/4 and I got two 
Glass bottles full of Rum from Sam" Barnet and I gave him X of a dollar 
and I went to John Craigs and lodged there 

AUGUST 1st 

I got two Glass bottles full of Rum from Sam" Barnet which made a 
Gallon all but ^o ^ pi^t and I gave him 14/ Bay O: T: 

2'^ We had Abel Turrill helping Reap at james Rie he Cut his fingers 
before noon that he could not Reap and Rob' Spear Reaped in the after- 
noon and I Reaped the Afternoon and jamey and Alex"^ Reaped all day we 
all Reaped 18 Stooks 

4th J got 11.^ Gallon of Rum from Samuel Barnet and james and David 
got two quarts from him as they were going to the woods with the team 
and I gave him 6/ 8 toward the Rum we have got and he filled in >^ a gal- 
lon more next day into the bottles 

5"' Zechariah Pike came with Barnet McCaine and Reaped an acre % 
of it was for David Rafting a day for Pike last spring And I had Under- 
woods hired man John liopldnson who came in the morning and Under- 
wood and his other hired man Whitcomb Powers and Reaped and Pike 
and McCain helped us after they had finished their acre and we finished 
about the middle of the afternoon there was 27 Stooks of it and Alex'' 
Reaped 2I/2 Stooks yesterday makes 29^ Stooks I have in all this year at 
home and I went to the woods to the james and David after we finished 
Reaping 

6"^ james and I finished Reapeing his Rie he has 37 stooks in all and 
David carted in 31 Stooks of Rie out of Sam" Goflfes field into james Barn 
for Rob' Spear for which he is to have 3 bushell of Rie and David took in 
93^ stooks of Rie for Sam" Gofife and for helping his team up the hill Goffe 
is to give him a bushel of Rie and I came home and I got two Gallon of 
Rum from Sam" Barnet on credit 

7"' I went to Londonderry to get Scyth whet stones and lodged at Rob' 
McMurphys 

8"^ I got a pound of Snuff at james Pinkertons for which I paid 4/ and 
I came by Thomas Highlands and brot home the Chaii* I bot off Mrs Sul- 
livan that was there I was trusted for my ferriage at Smith Alex' began 
to Mow at the little meadow yesterday in the afternoon and David brot 
home a jag of hay from Rob" place 

9"' last night was a great deal of thunder and some considerable of Rain 
and we went to the meadow and Raked and cocked 14 cocks and mowed 
some in the Governor lott 



MATTHEW pattp:n's diaky. 469 

10"^ last uiglit was a great frost touchexl aboimdauce of the coru leaves 
Potatoes and Beaus 

14*'^ James brot us >^ £ of Tea from McGaws for which I sent 2/8 

18*'' was a Raiuy day and at Evening a great thunder shower Rained 
very hard and I went to james Gormans and got him to make a new heck 
for my -\\ifes wheel and I "WTit a Summons for Thomas Whitle juur and a 
Notification to Col" Thornton to hear Depositions taken at Whitles house 
the 28d 

19*'^ Abel Tnril came to work for me and brot Amos Gardner to work on 
his acct and they and I Reaped our Oats and the Afternoon they went to 
the meadow and mowed with David and Alex'" 

2P' I brot home two load of hay and Elisha Lincoln workt for me for 
my \vriting two Leases between him and james Patterson I carted home 
two load of hay and David Houston and Isaac Rowel workt for us at the 
meadow 

22'* Joseph Patten brot two load of hay for me from the meadow and I 
brot two load and David Houston workt for us 

23"* james McLaughlin workt for us and I got 1% pint of Rum from 
Chandler on credit and I went to Litchfield and took three Depositions in 
Thorntons case and "Whitles I charged them two Dollars and Col" Chase 
and james Nocliar juur paid me the money and I Reed a Dollar from 
Benj" Blodget toward my Runiug lines last faul on Brintons farm and I 
got five pound of shugar at McGaws for which I paid 3/'4 and I paid seven 
pence for my ferriage at Reads 

25"» David workt for David Houston it came on Rain in the afternoon 
and Rained exceeding hard Alex"' and I went to the meadow and fijiished 
momug and brot home a load of hay in the Rain it soaked through the 
load before I got home 

26"^ The Girls spread our flax and I cut a few Stalks being the first 

27th X went to Amherst by Appointment to Examiu three of the Trus- 
tees (viz) Fletcher Baldwin and Holms Baldwin came but his acct was 
not drawed Right and could not Fletcher did not attend altho he was 
there in town and Holms was sick the Regr and I did as much Probate 
business as he gave me 7/2 my Expences was 4/8 and I paid Mr Smith 1/ 
toward my Expences at his house at Superiour court last May and took 
out an Alls Execution against Newman for which I paid 1/10 and I came 
to Cap' Lovejoys and lodged there 

28*'^ I came home in the morning before breakfast 

29"^ I cut Stalks and I Reed a Dollar from Samuel Farriugton in part of 
the fees for a Wart to set off Widow McCoys Dower and a License to sell 
of the Real Estate they were drawed the beginning of last June and David 
got }4 £ of Tea at McGaws for which he paid 2/16 

30"' David thrashed tliree Stooks and two sheaves and there was about 
ly^ bushel of Rie out of it and I got it ground at Sam" Moors mill he for- 
got to toal it 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

I Run lines for Mr Barnet of this town he paid me ^o a Dollar and is to 
make me as good a Shoad Shovel as he can make for the Remainder of my 



470 MATTHEW ]'ATTEN\s DIAltY. 

day and David went up to clear at the backside of the town the peice he 
had cut down and burnt over last year and Alex' swingled some flax of 
Sam" Goffes and he and John Parker made it into a Rope the Rope 
weighed 3 £ and an Ounce 

2*^ I went out to David with some provisions and on my way I went to 
John Bell junr and took the minuts to draw his Will by 

3*' I drawed John Bell junrs will and took it to him and Settled accts 
with him and he fell 3/6 in my debt and I went to Silas Doles to get Rie 
for my Runing lines for him and his bror last summer but he had not 
cleaned it as he promised and I waited to see him till near night but he 
did not come home that I got none and I left a bag to put the Rie in when 
he cleaned it 

4"> and 5"" 1 cut the Stalks between and the Meadow 

fith I -^ypj^ ^ Deed from John Mitchel of Francestown to Sam'i Barnett 
and took the acknowledgement Mitchel paid me a Shilling and Barnett 
discounted a shilling of what I owed him for Rum and he discounted six 
pence more toward the Rum for some ^^Titing and casting of Intrest be- 
tween him and Ensign Chubbuck and Chubbuck gave me eight pence And 
I writ a deed from David Sessions to one John Corlis junr of Haverhill and 
took the acknowledgement and some other writings for which Corlis paid 
me three shillings 

8"> James and David and I cut Stalks by Frenches in the forenoon and 
they finisliedVcuting the afternoon And Alex"" finished cutiug Stalks at 
home and in the afternoon I went to Sam" Moors Mill with 1 1^' bushel of 
Rie and got it Ground and james Willson of New Boston summoned me 
to the Superior Covu't an Evidence and gave me two pistereens 

9*1^ I intended to set out to go to see our Rob* but it proved a Raiuey 
day and I did not go and I got the shoes on my Marcs fore feet set and 
toed the Iron for Nails and toeing was mine 

10"' I set out for Newbury port and lodged at Doctor Baileys in New- 
bury Newtown 

11*'^ 1 arrived at Dan vers and see our Rob' and lodged at Mr Felps where 
he lived 

12*'* I got justice Putnam to take Rob* Depos" to be used in Deacon 
Moors case and mine and I got }£ a Quintal of Cod fish for which I paid 
two dollars and I came to Willmington and lodged there I dont know the 
tavernkeeper name 

13*** I came home and on my way home I bot *2 £ of tea lyz Do of chalk 
and a Gimblet at McGaws for which articles I paid 3/4 my expences this 
journey was 8/1 I carried Oats and Victals with what was given me that 
I bot none 

15"' I went and got 1*2 bushel of Rie from Silas Dole for my Runing 
lines for him and his bror Stephen the 9th of last June and I got Jo ^ 
bushel of Rie from Stephen Dole and I swore him to two parcels of Rum 
he brot from Newbuxy from two diferant men and gave him two seperate 
captions I suppose it will pay the J4 bushel of Rie and I took the acknowl- 
edgment of a Deed for Sam'* Vose junr for which he paid me a shilling 



MATTHEW patten's DIAHY. 471 

16*'^ I attended at Chaudlers with james Patterson and John Riddel in 
the afternoon to settle their accts 

17**^ I took the two bushels of Rie I got at Doles to Sam'^ Moors mill and 
got it ground 

18**^ I writ a power of attorney for old Robert Cunningham and took the 
acknowledgement for which I charged him 1/6 he could not pay me down 

19"' was a Rainy day and I ^\Tit a Deed for james Patterson and my 
wife got six cups and Saucers of China from John Boies junr 

23'* I got word of our Beaf Cow (who has been mising a fortnight) by 
Mr Benj" Stevens of Goflfestown who came to tell me of her she was at his 
house and I went and got her and took her to my Rob^'* field where she had 
been Mr Stevens nor his sou would not take any pay for what they had 
kept her nor for their trouble 

2S^ I went to McGaws and got 3 £ of Shugar for which I paid 2/ and I 
got a 32 bushel basket from John Vickere I had done writing &c for him 
to pay it and am to have two off him more of l^o bushell each yesterday I 
cleaned up 9% bushels of Rie was the last we have of our own we had but 
12 bushels in all this year 

24"' james Houston had my young oxen and Cart the Afternoon geting 
in his corn 

25'*' james Houston made a Pick for me of an old Ax and the bit of 
another of mine a Rainey day 

26"' John Patten helped our boys to butcher our Newman Cow she 
weighed 280 £ of Beaf and 40 1., of hide and I went to james Pattersons 
and measured off 15*^' acres for him of a lott he bot at Cairns Vendue and 
our james sowed 4\ bushels of Rie in the back field 

27"' I took l}^ bushel of our own Rie to Sam*' Moors mill and I borrowed 
}4 a bushel of Indian corn oft' his wife and had the corn ground and I left 
the Rie 

39**' james and I gathered the Remainder of the corn between and the 
meadow 

30"' james David and I and Col Goffe went to Amherst on my case "with 
Deacon Moor and we all lodged there 

OCTOBER FIRST 

My Case came on in the afternoon I gained ten shillings damage and 
cost 

3'* we got the bill taxed it came to 19-13-4 

3'* The Deacon son james paid the bill of cost Except 35/ james Under- 
■wood gave me his note for I gave General Sullivan 30 dollars of a fee with 
what I gave him before and I gave Mr Dane six dollars for his service at 
this court my Expences and my two sons was 1-8-0 and Col Goffers Expen- 
ces at Smiths was 6/10 with a bowle of punch I had And I paid Smith the 
6/10 and 31/ I owed him of last Suporiour court Expences and paid Mr 
Elsworth our Expences there which was 38/ and I sent two Dollars by 
Tho* Willson of Newboston to his son Tho* for Tobacca I liad from him 
two or three years ago this faul I was 1/6 of Expences at Capt Heldreths 
and /6 at Capt Lovejoys my sons Expences by themselves I suppose was 



472 MATTHEW I'ATTEN's DIARY. 

about a dollar and I came home iu the Eveniug and Alex' Willson paid 
6/4 of my expeiices at Els worths being on acct of my being an Evidence 
in his and his bror jauies case over and above the 1-8-0 above said and I 
give the jury a dollar to drink 

6th I "VYeut to Litchfield and I paid Esqr Claget 18 Crowns for his fees in 
my case to Deacon Moor and I bot % an ounce of sniiff and 2 ounces of 
Indigo at Majr McQuestions for which I paid 3/3 and I bot at McGaws 
I2 £ of Tea and 3£of shugar and a pair of Sizers for which I paid 4/9 
mth a Glass of W: I: Rum made in tody my ferriage at Reads was /8 and 
I writ a power of Attorney from one John Peters to Samuel Moor of this 
town and tok the acknowledgement which Moor promised to pay which is 
3/ On the first I Reed 13/4 from Esqr Worster toward his note for which 
I gave him a Rect and I Reed two dollars from Adam Dickey toward 
what he owes me for boards he sold of mine last May 

8*'* David got seven jills of Rum from Chandler for me to be settled in 
our acct and I went to Sam'i Moors Mill with \}n bushel of new corn and 
had it ground and I took the proof of Deacon Littles Will for which the 
Execr paid me 8/ and Levi Whitmaii worked for me today at the Cellar 
for my ^vriting a Deed for him and the acknowledgment 

9* a considerable Rain last night and today the wind is N: E: I went to 
Amherst and I attended the Sessions and did some Pi"(^bat(^ business and 
lodged at Ellsworths 

10"' I attended the Sessions and did some Probate business the forenoon 
the Regr took what fees we got and in the afternoon I granted an Admr 
of Eben"^ Collins Estate to his widow I got them fees which was 8/ I bot 
as many things at Means as I paid 4/ for and as many things at Alfords 
as I paid 6/ my Expences was 7/() 

13"' I took l^o bushel of oiu* corn to Sam" Moors Mill and got a bushel 
of Rie from janies Gillmore for the bushel I lent David Moor last Summer 
and got it all Ground 

24th Alex'" and I began to dig potatoes we Diged 10 or 11 bushells and 
put them in the Celar under the house at home 

15"' we all hands workt at Diging potatoes we Diged 40 bushells and 
put them ill a hole back of the house 

16"' David and Alex'' and I finished diging potatoes at home the boys 
had 30 bushels and we had 10 ours 10 bushels we put into Frenches Celar 

17"' The boys buried their 30 bushels in a hole and I went to Sam" 
Moors mill with two bushels of corn and had it ground and he allowed 
the % bushel of corn I borrowed from his wife the 3Tth of last Septer for 
my writing a power of attorney the 6th Instant from one John Peters to 
him which he promised to pay 

18"' Was a great Rain all day and the whole night following In the 
afternoon I attended the funeral of John Bell junior 

19"' Rained all the fore part of the day hard the afternoon it Snowed 
uiitill some time in the night it fell two inches deep or more the wind at 
N: E: all this storm which was Violent and tedious 

30"' the Rain made a good freshet for takeing down Stuft" in the River 
and We got two pair of Oxen from Majr Golfe and two pair from Mr 



MATTHEW patten's DIAl'A". 473 

Martin and a pair from Chandler and Icabod Martin with them and jas 
Walker junr and a pair of oxen and josiali Patten and two pair and we 
hauled otu* Oak timber out of the River we have about 30 Tun of it and 
I borrowed a Gallon of Rum from Chandler and I had two mugs of W: I: 
Tody from Chandlers on credit to treat the hands after wo had done 

21^* I went to McGaws and got a Gallon and 3t ^ pi^it of Rum and two 
ounces of Indigo for which I paid him 5/9 and I brot the Rum to Chandlers 
and paid him the Rum I borrowed from him yesterday and my wife sent 
10 knots of brown thread to McGaws for which he gave two pair of 
knitting needles and james and Alex"^ and William ORian got in two jags 
of corn from French William Came here to work the 3d of this month 

22'i we got in the last of our corn by Frenchs and Beans and diged a 
bushel of potatoes of them that gTowed tliere and I went to Deacon Smiths 
mill with two bushels of Corn and had it gTound 

23<i A Rainy day 

24"' I went to Majr McQuestions and I got a pound of snuff and a pound 
of Tobacca 5/2 and I had ^ a Bowie of W: I: Tody at McGaws for which 
I paid /6 and William Reed allowed my ferriage for his cuting some oak 
Joyce sticks by Moses Vickeres 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM OCTOBER 24th 1783 

25"^ I diged about 8 bushels of potatoes by Frenches 

27"' I sheled two bushels of corn and took it to Deacon Smiths mill and 
Adam gi-ound it and I had the Toal and the afternoon I went to Jacob 
McQueads and Vendued the west end of his farm for him David Riddel 
bot it for 301 dollars 

28"* Joseph Bell helped us at stoning the Cellar the forenoon and John 
McLaughhn james all day and I diged 7 bushels of potatoes by Frenches 

29*"^ I borrowed a Stone hamer at John Moors and finished digiug 
potatoes by Frenches we had 18 bushels there this year 

30"' 31**' and November 1**' John MacLaughlins james helped us about 
the Cellar and on the 31st John Nut helped us in the afternoon on Stephen 
Frenches acct and on the 1st I got Po Gallon of Rum from josepli Davis 
on acct of what Underwood owes me 

3'' I took a deed oft" Job Holebrook of Woodstock of the lott No 10 in 
the 2d Rang in Bedford for which I gave him a Note for 14 £ payable in 
a year with Intrest and a note to Major Goffe for 40/ on Demand and sent 
the deed with Holebrook to Concord to have him acknowledge it and 
leave it for me in Concord and we got a number of men and took oiir 
frame down 

4"' & 5"' we had Frenches Steers and we hauled the frame to the Cellar 
by Frenches and I got 3 Gallon of Rum from Joseph Da^'is on Underwoods 
acct 

6"' I got 1)^ Gallon of Rum from Davis on acct as above and we Raised 
tlie frame on the Cellar by Frenches and John Nutt helped us the forenoon 
on Frenches acct 

7"' I settled with William ORyan for all he lias workt for me this faul 



474 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

lie workt 30 days in all he charged 2/ pr day and I paid 6/8 aud David 
paid him 0/ toward it 

8"i I got P^ bushel of com and about three pecks of Rie ground by 
Deacon Smith he has taken the toal of what he has ground for me this 
faul but I am to have the Toal of what he grinds for me more for pay and 
I sent Alex'' to Abrm Moor for my old Oxen they have been there three 
weeks he charged i<( a dollar a week and Alex"^ paid him a dollar of it 

10''^ John Patten helped us butcher our Sparked Ox he weighed 448 of 
Beaf and 73 of the hide Matthew Mc aVea got a hind quarter that weighed 
108 and Ensu Chubbuck and John Lincoln got the two fore quarters they 
weighed 236 to be paid in Shingles the other hind .quarter we kept the 
price of the beaf is 20/ pr hundred 

12*'' I had Joseph Patten and their six Oxen and wheels and John 
MacLaughlins four Oxen and Wheels and Frenches wheels and hauled 
what boards we had at Lieut Orrs mill to the frame there is I suppose 
about 5500 of them we brot them at four loads james Houston made a new 
link of my Iron and shut three other links in my small draft chain and 
yesterday he mended a hook of a draft chain of Chandlers for me it was 
broke dramng our timber out of the River and it began to snow in the 
afternoon and fell near 3 inches deep 

17"* I took two bushels of Indian corn to Deacon Smiths mill and he 
gTound it for me aud I had the Toal and Joseph Bell did some fitting at 
my Mares shoes & set all four of them the Iron for the nails and Steel 
mine and in the evening took the acknowledgment of a Deed for Ensign 
Chubbuck I writ the deed for him last week it was from Levi Chubbuck 
and his wife 

18"' I got 750 board nails from Ehsha Lincoln in the lieu of l^o M of 
Shingle nails he owed me since spring was a year for Potatoes and I got 
G93 shingle nails aud 53 board nails in the room of 106 shingle nails from 
Amos Gardner toward what he owes me being equal to 800 of shingle 
nails and he owes me 4200 of shingle nails yet aud I got leave from John 
Bell to Stick to make 14 Joyce for the lower floor of our frame and I fell 
the Sticks 

19*'' Alex and I went and hauled the Joyce Sticks to the frame and we 
cut and twitched out the path Five sticks to make Ribs for a Barn and 
james Mann left two Dollars with my wife to pay what he owed me 

33"* I took 3 bushels of corn to Deacon Smiths Mill and two of it ground 
and one made into Samp and I went to McGaws and I got ^o a pound of 
Tea and a pound of Snuif and }4 a bowle of Tody for which I paid 6/ 7 

34"' John Patten helped us to butcher our Bright Ox he weighed 455 £ 
of beaf aud 73 of a hide and I writ an agreement between one Andrew 
Bailey of Peterborough & james Gillmore for which I charged a shilling 
and Bailey paid me 7 pence of it and I Reed 1 /6 froiu Rob* Cunningham 
for my 's\Titing a power of attorney and the acknowledgment this faul 
and I Reed 9/5 from W'" Duncan being the Remainder of the bill of costs 
in the case that W'" McDulFee prosecuted him last summer and our Rob*" 
old mare died 

35*'' I let Matthew McAvea have a (luarter of our Ox we butchered it 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 475 

weighed 124 £ and I got a bushel of salt from Adam Dickey toward what 
he owes me for the boards he sold of mine last Spring 

26"^ I writ a pair of Leases for John Riddle from W" McAllester to him 
and his brors David and Hugh I charged % a dollar or a bushell of corn 

27'^ David and Alex"" and I boarded at the Roof of the frame Da\ad bot 
3000 of board nails at McGaws for which he paid of his own money 27/ 
the 21st Instant 

28^'* There fell a snow 8 or 10 inches deep 

29*'' I got a side of Sole leather from French of 18^3 £ and a large side 
of upper leather 

DECEMBER FIRST 

James went to McGaws and got a ^4 of peper and ]4- ^ f Tea and 3 £ of 
shugar and a jill of Rum for which he paid 4/11 I sent the money by him 

2^ Alex with our Oxen workt for Capt McLaughlin or his sou William 
and I swore james Martin concerning four barrels of Rum he had from 
Joseph Tylor and certifid the same 

3*1 William McLaughlin and their 4 oxen helped us draw out logs they 
hauled out 8 to the field by the barn and took one to the River 

5"> I went to Deacon Sniiths mill with two bushells of corn and the 
Deacon ground it and we butchered our two hogs they weighed 420 £ 

8"' I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for Jonathan Rand not paid 
for 

gth J ^^Tit a Deed and took the acknowledgment for Samuell Garvin of 
Dunbarton unijaid 

lO*"^ I agreed Avith Sani^' Garvin for to make nie long shingles to cover 
the Roof of a barn and Clapboards to cover our new house to be brot to the 
School house by Martins the price to be left to men if we dont agree our- 
selves 

lit'' WAS THANKSGIVEING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED 
STATES BY ORDER OF CONGRESS 

13"' I went to Deacon Smiths mill \vith two bushels of corn and two 
bushels and a little more of Rie that our james sent Down by David the 
J 0th but did not get it ground 

15"' we Hewed the Remainder of the joice for the lower floor for the 
frame and sawed them at proper lengths 

16"' I Run the north line of the home lott No 44 for james Martin and 
Tho*' Lancey as Guardian for Abel Barron I charged them one half a Dol- 
lar each Martins to be paid in Oxens work 

17"' I went and brot home the meal of tlie Grain I took to Deacon Snuths 
mill the 13th the Deacon ground it and toaled it 

18"' I went to Litchfield to get a Writ for james Smith I had to pay a 
Shilling for my ferriage at Reads and I bot ^o ^ pound of Tea and 5 £ of 
sliugar at McGaws and % a bowle of Tody for which I paid 5/6 

19"' james Martin and his fathers four oxen helped us draw out Logs 

20"' David and our two oxen helped Martin draw out oak timber and I 
got one half a bushell of salt from Adam Dickey toward the boards he sold 
of mine last spring 



476 MATTHEW PATTKN's DIARY. 

22*1 I went aud took our janies" weeks provision to Saiiii' Turrils and 
David and Alex'' got some wood and I got a side of sole leather from 
Stephen French that weighed ITVo £ 

23'' I drawed an acct for Rob' Cunningham and swore him to it for 
which he paid me 1/7 

25th I went to Zech Pikes to arbitrate between him and his uncle Fran- 
cis Lovejoy but did not proceed by Reason that Bonds not brot from Mr 
Danas in Aniherst and I went to Widow Walkers and lodged there 

26"^ I went to Mr Sheds and helped him to make 12 new links and a new 
hook of his Iron for a di'aft chain he made the Rest of the chain last win- 
ter it weighed 16 £ alltogether and was allniost 10 feet long we concluded 
it took 19 £ of iron lie made it of his iron in lieu of a barr of iron I let him 
have of 32?^ £ weight last winter that he had 13^4 £ in the bar toward the 
makeing And I gave Samuell Kennedy a notification to give to Esqr Little 
to come and here some Depositions taken at Rogers in Goffestown the 
S9th 

29th J -^ent to Rogers and took three Depositions for Sam'i Kennedy for 
which he gave me a Dollar and on my way went by Andrew Walkers and 
bot from Mrs Gregory 3 aul blades 12 shoemaker tacks aud a file for wliic-h 
I paid her 2/ 

30"' I went to Deacon Smiths mill and took l^i, bushell of corn with me 
and had it ground I had the toal and David aud our 4 oxen workt for W'" 
McLaughlin I whet part of my Cross cut Saw 

31^' I finished wheting and Gumming my Saw and David Houston 
mended my Clavis and and a Staple of a yoke and shut 3 links of our 
small draft chain which ended tlie business of the year 

JANUARY 1st 17S4 

I got a quart of Rum from Master Gillis by mj David for which he paid 
/ll 

3 I got an ounce of snuff and an Almanack from Mr Gilles for which I 
paid /8 

5tii I got a pound of snuff from Majr McQueston by my james at 3/6 of 
which he paid the half of it being 1 /9 

8"' I went to Amherst to attend the Probate Court and I lodged at Ells- 
worths 

9"' on Probate business and the Regi" and I settled up oui- whole accts 
and I fell 40/ in his debt for which I gave him my note and I Reed 12/ of 
fees of what business we did now and lodged at Ellsworths 

10"^ I bot an Ounce of Snuff six bisquit a Cake of Gingerbread and a 
pound of Tea from Mr Allbridge for which I paid him 5/ 2 ^o ^^^ I came 
home my expeuces at Ellsworths was 9/ and at Capt Love joys was /2 The 
boys this week brot home bushels of james Rie for us 

13"' I took 2 bushels of Rie and lig of corn to Deacon smiths mill but 
did get it ground 

14"' I Run lines for George Orr and Zech Pike one 3d for Orr aud two 
3ds for Pike and the 15th I got the meal of the Grain I took to mill yester- 
dav 



MATTHEW J'ATTEN's DlxVIlY. 477 

ir)"> I weut to McGaws by appointiueut and took th(> proof of james 
Barrets will for which and a bond I charged them IS/ they paid me my 
Expences aud two Ounces of Salt petre was 1/6 and I gave my james ig a 
dollar 

1(3"^ I went to do some -writings for Matth McDuffec and his son W'" but 
I lost my Specticles and could not do it and I took two bushels of Rie and 
11. 2 of corn to Deacon Smiths mill I got the corn made into Samp and I left 
the Rie ungTOund 

1 7"' I Swore John Riddle of his bringing 3 barrels of Rum into this State 
for which he paid me a shilling 

jgth J gQ^ ^-yyQ quarts of Rum from Master Gilles for which I paid 1/9 

22'i james Neasmith of this town finished makeing six pair of shoes for 
us toward the makeing I i)aid him a dollar in money and 13 Tacks at six 
pence and six aul blades at a shilling and sole and heel stuff for a pair of 
shoes for him self at 2/6 and I let William ORyan have one of the pair of 
shoes Neasmith made toward what I owe him for his work last faul aud I 
A\Tit a Deed from Matth McDutf ee to his son William 

23*' I writ a pair of Leases between Mr McDuflfee and his sou Will'" and 
james Houston set the shoes on our four Oxen 

24"' I took lyi bushel of corn to Deacon Smiths mill and had it groimd 
by Adam and I got the Meal of the two bushels of Rie that I left there the 
16th Instant and I left the deed and Leases that I writ for McDuffee with 
the old Mr McDuffee 

26'h james Houston set 3 shoes on my mare he steeled two of them at the 
toe and heels with my Steel and Sharped the other 

28 I Reed a petition from Tho' McClure of Plymoth praying to have a 
Guardian appointed for his Brother james I writ an order to the Select- 
men of Merrymac and a Return for them to sign of the State of his mind 
I charged a Dollar and he gave me 6/8 and said it was no matter about the 
change 

29"^ Alex'' aud our young Oxen worked for james Houston all day and 
David hauled three logs to the River with our old Oxen 

30*'^ David Hauled 4 logs to the River 

3P' Joseph Patten helped us out with a log and to the crotch of the 
Roads by the Gall hole and then David hailed it to the River with our 
own Oxen he hauled two more all three large logs and he hauled two load 
of wood 

FEBRUARY SECOND 

I bot 60 £ of fresh Cod fish from Theof Griffin for which I paid him 6/8 
they were not Gutted nor gilled and David took one log to the River aud 
james and Alex' Cut wood and David hauled honxe four load 

3'' a considerable Rain and thaw 

4"' Alex' hauled 4 Logs to the River 

5"' Alexander hauled 3 logs to the River 

()"' fell a snow a foot deep or more 

7"' Alex' haulled one log to the River 

!)"' David hauled tvt'o logs to the River 



478 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

lO'ii W" McLaughlin helped its to draw logs with their team and he 
and David hanled six logs to the River and I borrowed a crown peice from 
John Patten and I went james Pinkertons and I hot a yard of Shallon at 
2/6 and two Sticks of Mohair at 1/2 and and 14 coat Bottons for which I 
paid 4/3 my Expences was /lO and I came home late at night 

1 1^^" I carried the things I got yesterday at Pinkertons to Matth McVeas 
and I went to Hugh Thompsons in Derryfield and I got 1}^ of a yard and 
two inches of tow cloath toward his note at Esqr McGregores I hot a par- 
(!el of corn in the Ear supposed to be between 4 and 5 bushels for 13/6 and 
I am to have a barrel and the full of it of Rie at 15/ it was struck of to 
Aiitipass Dodge but he Resigned it to me they were sold to Satisfie an 
Execution by Prentice the Sheriff I had }4 a bowle of Tody at McGregores 
for which I paid seven coppers 

12"^ I went to McGaws and I got a pound of Tea and }4 ^ pound of 
Snuff and a gimblet and % a mug of W: E: Tody on credit they amounted 
to 6/7 and I Reed from Enn Vickere }4 toward luy Runing lines for him 
last Summer 

13*'^ I took two bushels of Rie and one of Indian corn to Deacon Smiths 
mill and left it they could not gi-ind it and I got an order from Capt Aiken 
on Theophelus Griffen for four Dollars which I got by borrowing 

14th J gQ^ fiie 4 Dollars from Theop'* Gritt'en on Capt Aikens order and 
I went to Esqr McGregores and paid him for the corn and Rie that Anti- 
pas Dodge and I bot there the 11th Instant and I had ^o a mug of tody 
for which I paid /4 

le''^ I brot away the Rie from Esqr McGregores that I paid for the 14th 
there was about 3>^ bushels of it it was cleane for grinding and I got a 
new Coat and jacoat that Matthew McAvea made for me they were made 
of 5/4 of a yard of Germin Serge that our Rob*- had he had 2ji( yard of 
Tamony the Rest of the linen and trimings I found I had two yards of 
Clouting Diaper from W" Nutt that went into them 

17th X went to Amherst to Renew my Execution against W'" Newiuan 
but had to tarrie over night 

18"^ I got my Exec" and I got my Expences at Mr Ellsworths being 6/3 
answered toward the pay for my going to Amherst at Benj" Davis desire 
concerning Mr Barnard and Bishop some years ago and got Mr Ellsworths 
obligation for the Remainder which is 23/9 I had a mug of Tody at Capt 
Lovejoys on credit and I went to Deacon Nicholoss and granted Admr of 
his son Amos Estate to the widow I charged 12/ she and the Deacon paid 
nie a dollar and two pistereens of it there is three pistereens yet due 

19"^ I gave Solomon Hutchinson a Commission to Examin the claims of 
Hugh Clarks Estate and not pay for it and I took a bushel of corn and 
one of Rie to Sam^' Moors mill but did not get it Ground and went to 
Esqr McGregores wlfeh three letters for David Sessions to carrie in his case 
-with Rob' young and I had i^ a mug of tody at McGregores on credit 

20"^ I got Amos Martin to bring the meal of the Grain I took to Sam" 
Moors mill yesterday to the School house with his Uncle Steers and I 
workt with james at a Single Sley in the afternoon 

21"' I workt with james at the Sley 



MATTHEW patten's DlAliY. 479 

23*1 James and I finished the Sley the forenoon and I went to Esqr 
McGregores in the afternoon with the Sley we made and brot away the 
corn I hot there the 11th Instant and I paid >.< a bowle of tody I had there 
tlie 19th 

24*'' I went to Amos Gardners and got Wahmt for 4 ax handles and a 
pair of Ox bowes 

25"i Joseph Patten hauled 3 logs to Orrs mill for us at twice with their 
team and David hauled two with their team which makes 8 logs we have 
there in all 

26*'^ I went to Joseph Houstous to cast up his Several list of Rates the 
year he was Constable and lodged there 

27"^ I was on the same business untill just night I cast all his lists but 
one and that was part lost that I could not cast it I shall charge him 1 % 
days time 



On the 25th our james brot 2% bushel of Indian corn of his from Litch- 
field for us to use he brot 4 bushels of Rie of his for his service and on the 
27tli he took 4 bushells of the Rie to Lieut Orr that he owed him 



28*'^ james went to Litchfield and got a bushel of corn from Ensn Daniel 
Kenndel that he owed me for Runing lines for him faul was a year and lie 
brot 2 bushels of peas of his own from Sam^i Senters and his part of what 
flax seed Was between him and jackson at Capt Whitings 

MAR'CH FIRST 

I went to Derryfield to Lieut Halls to meet james Gorman to settle with 
him for my Runing lines for him -writing Deeds &c for him faul was two 
years ago but he did not come I had a mug of tody at Halls for which I 
paid /9 and I hot a Grindstone from Theophilus Griffen for 43/ to be paid 
in lumber next spring on the River bank 

2'' I brot the Grindstone home and james hung it 

3'! I went with james and Alex' to David McClarys with the Mare and 
Sley and took up some provision for them and our largest pot and one of 
the Kegs I made and I went and lodged at John Craigs 

4*'^ I came home and brot Mary Walker from Sheds to her bror james 
for shed and james Underwood paid me three Dollars toward the note he 
gave me the 2d of last October which I Indorsed on the back of the note I 
gave him Six dollars for james Hunter left with me yesterday for him and 
I gave him one dollar Hunter left with me for Capt McLaughlin by Capt 
McLaughlins order who was present when I paid the money to james 
Underwood 

()"' I went to Deacon Smiths mill and took 'i]4 bushels of corn and \]4. 
bushel of Rie with me and I got 1%. of the corn ground 

gth J went to Deacon Smiths mill and took two bushels of Rie with me 
and left it and I got the meal of the two bushels of corn and \y, of Rie 
that I left there the 7th 

gth J "vvent Litchfield and carried my james acct against Capt Parkers 
Estate to the Commissioners and I bot at INIcGaws a £ of snuff and 4 Do 



480 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Shugar 6 Bisquit and an Earthen Mug and bason and Yz a mug of W : I : 
Tody for which I paid S/4 

10'" I assisted iu laying off land of Zech Pikes to satisfie an Execution 
that Doctor Guttler had against him as surveys and as a justice to Swear 
the apprizers my fees was 14/ to be settled with the Doctor Major Goffe 
Capt McLaughlin and Zech Chandler were the Apprizers 

11"> I waited more than half the day at Chandlers on Moses Mudget and 
Signing the Decree for the settlement of ^^ of his fathers Estate on him I 
charged a dollar and could not pay it but promised he would pay 

12''^ I went to james Gormans to try to get some pay from him for my 
surveying for him faul was a two years but got none I had i^' a bowle of 
tody at John Goffes for which I paid /4 the next day 

l.S''* I took the Grinstone I had from Theophs Griffen the 2d Instant 
to Capt Sam" Moors by his desu-e for Will'" Perham he said he sold it to 
him I coxild get the lumber to pay for it was the Reason of his takeing it 
back 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MARCH 13th 1784 

lo"^ I went to Deacon Smiths mill and took two bushells of Rie with lue 
and Adam Ground it and I got the meal of the two bushells I left there 
8th and I paid them the '^ biishell of Rie meal we borrowed from them 
by one of the boys 

16"> I went to Chandlers to meet the Selectmen and james Vose and 
Matthew McDuffee to settle the judgment the town gained for Cuting 
timber on the School Lotts in the year 1774 which w^s 11-10-0 there was 
7-8-6 of it in McDuffeys and Jacob McQueades liands that they had not 
paid for which sum McDuffee gave his note and the Remainder of the 
11-10-0 being 4-0-6 I endorsed on the back of an order I had on the 
town of ten £ and I took the selectmens Rect for the judgment being 
satisfied iu full in the above manner and I had a bowle of W : I : tody on 
credit at Chandlers I got home as I supposed about two o clock in the 
morning 

17"' David and our old Oxen worked at Piscataquog Bridge ajusting the 
string peice on and I worked at it the afternoon and we got the four lower 
ones on 

18"' I swampt out 4 small oak logs the boys saved in cuting wood Ready 
for hauling out and David and Polly was at Sally Logang weding 

19'h I signed two Extents for the selectmen one against Joseph Houston 
and the other agt janies Vose on their Constableship to be charged in my 
acct agt the town and I took the acknowledgement of a deed from james 
Thompson of this town to Prime Wally a Negro who could not pay me 
for want of change and Alex'^ and I took out the 4 oak logs I swamped out 
yesterday and I got two glass bottles full of Rum from Master Gilles come 
to 1/9 of which I paid him nine pence 

22'' Alex'' took three of the oak logs we hauled out the 19th and I settled 
with Zecli Chandler all accts between us and he paid me four Dollars and 
he owes me 6/10 yet and I got 3^ £ of Tea from Master Gilles for which I 
paid him 2/3 and I paid him a Shilhng the Remainder of the price of what 
Rum I got from him the 19th Instant and I set out about 9 o clock for 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 481 

Coucord to bring home the Sley that I hot that was Newmans and lodged 
at Capt Kiusmans 

2'^'^ I paid Capt Kinsman two Dollars for Nathaniel Green jnnr for his 
service levying and Execn on W"' Newmans Sley and selling &c and 
took Kinsmans Rect and I came home my Expences was 4/3 and brot 
home the Sley there was one Collar and one pair of Sea Cow skin traces 
with the Sley 

24th I got two Glass bottles full of Rnm from Master Gilles toward 
which I paid him /8 one of them I took to Matthew McVeas for Beaver- 
age for my cloaths he made for me this Winter and the other I brot home 
for beaverige for Mrs Lincoln who is turning a coat for me 

25'^ I sent Alex' to Gilles and got two pounds of shugar for which and 
for what I owed him of the two bottles of Rum I got from him yesterday 
he paid him 2/ 1 and I went to Joseph Houstons with Capt Chamberlain- 
who lodged here last night to Examin Houstons Constableship I lodged 
there 

26"i On the same business and got home by night I Reed no pay it was 
at Houstons desire he had Alex' Gillcrist assist him allso 

29"* I took a Rect from Levi Whitman for Joseph Houston and writ two 
notes for Whitman and in the afternoon I went to Mr Holts to a meeting- 
of Merrymac and Bedford to chuse a Representative on the new Constitu- 
tion and jaines Martin was chose my Expences was ten pence 

30'*' was Thunder in the morning followed by a considerable Rain untill 
near night 

31"' I cleaned what Beans we had there was three bushels of them and 
the afternoon I went to our annual March Meeting and Mrs Lincoln 
finished turning my coat and jacot and did some mending to the grigo and 
James Neasmith came here yesterday to make shoes 

APRILL FIRST 

I went to Deacon Smiths mill with 1)2 bushell of corn and as much Rie 
and the deacon ground it 

5"* I went beyond the near Meadow with the mare and the boys went 
out to hew some Oars and I came home and got 300 of shingle nails from 
Amos Gardner and I paid Mollie Patten six pence toward what I am to 
pay her on james Grears accoimt and I got a side of the steer hide I killed 
faul was a year from French 

6"' I butchered old Bosss Calf it never see any and one Eye was melted 
out and the other turned altogether white it weighed about 21 £ 

S"' I went to Amherst to the Probate Court and attended the Sessions 
allso and lodged at Ellsworths 

9"' I attended the Probate and Sessions and I gave up my case that I 
sued Lt James Smith and appealed for which I paid the jury 12/ and for 
the appeal 2/ What Probate business was done the fees amounted to 
5-10-0 of which we Reed 4-7-4 my part was 1-9-0 which I Reed and there 
is yet due 1-2-8 and I paid General Nichols 2/ for Recording a Deed 
from job Holbrook to me and lodged at Ellsworths 

10"* I attended the Sessions and I took a peice of cloath for our Sussey 
31 



482 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

to the Cloathiers iu Amherst to be dyed Greeu and prest Aud I bot at 
Means 34^ of allspice for which I paid 1/ and I bot at AUbrees a pound of 
snuff % Do Tea and % of peper for which I paid 6/6 aud I settled nay 
Expences at Ellsworths which was 8/5 aud I Entered it on the back of his 
note and I paid a mug of tody I had at Oapt Lovejoys on credit in Febr 
last and % a mug today which was a pistereen as I went over I Reed a 
Shilling from Jonathan Rand for takeing the acknowledgement of a Deed 
the 8th of last December and I went by Deacon Nichols and Reed the 
Inventory and I swore the apprisers aud the admrs for which I charged a 
dollar which she paid and she i^aid uie three pistereeus Avhich she owed of 
the admr and I paid the Clerk 1/4 for a new execution against William 
Newman 

12'^ I took the acknowledgement of two deeds one from Sam" Turrill 
junr to Deacon Moors son William the other to Moor to to Turrill for 
which Moor paid me 1/6 and I went to Deacon Smiths mill with two 
l)ushell of rie and one of corn and the deacon Ground it which SOj^ bush- 
ells the deacon has ground for me since the last crop came off the ground 
that I had the Toal 

13'^ Alex' and I took our Oxen and heifer and Mare to James" barn and 
Alex'' staid to attend them aud I got 550 shingle nails from Amos Gardner 
which makes 2750 shingle Nails in all that I have got from him out of the 
nOOO he owed me he proposed for me to take james Yose for 2000 which I 
consented to 

14th -y^Y^ Rafted 10 pine logs aud james Houston made a boathook for 
me of ray Iron 

15"^ David got nine board logs from W™ Moor up the River for the Bull 
he got from David last f aul and brot them down to our logs at Martins 
field and we got l^^ pint of Rum and a mug of tody at Chandlers and 
borrowed a glass bottle full of Rum from Major Goffe and yesterday our 
james sent 5 £ of flax by me to John Parker and Spun it and made it into 
a. Robe for Rafting this day a cold N: E: Rain 

16"' Snowed almost all day in the afternoon I went to Mr Welds the 
blacksmith in Goffestown and got an inch Auger for our David and had 
my brors old Mare and took a bushel of Rie for John Paten to Welds 
which paid him for makeing Davids auger and one for John and mending 
two for John David found the Iron for his auger and John and is to pay 
j(5hn a shilling more for his auger than the iron for Johns 

19"' David went to Peiitucket with John Patten and james and Alex' 
and I with Stephen French in the forenoon and Jonathan Bailey in the 
afternoon Rafted at our Oak timber and I got three quarts and Y2 a pint 
« »f Rum from Chandler 

20"* james Neasmith helped us Raft and we got it to the ferry and I went 
out to take care of the Oxen at jaiues Baru 

21^' James David and Alex' set off with our Oak timber and pine logs 
for Pentucket and I came home from james place 

22<i WAS GENERAL FAST THROUGHOUT THE STATE 

23"^ I spent the day prinsaply on the affirs of the Extents against Joseph 
Houston and james Vose and Voses takeing a number of men for their 
Rates to defend himself 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 483 

24"> I took two bushells of Rie from Deacon Smiths mill and Adam 
ground it and I got a bushell of corn from the Deacon I propose to borrow 
and pay it in corn or to buy and pay in money and he did not say which 
of the ways I should have it and he ground it 

20*'' I went out to see our Oxen and I came home in the evening 

27"' I swore old Rob' Cuuingham concerning age he gave me a pistereen 
and I had no change to give him and he said it was no matter about it 
and I went to Chandlers in the afternoon on Joseph Houstons acct to get 
au article put into a wart for a town meeting for him 

28"' I went out and brot home our Oxen 

29"' I vnrit a pair of Leases for John Butterfield for John Cuuingham my 
charge for them is 4/ I dated them the 30th by mistake 

MAY FIRST 

David got home from being down the River after night 
S<^ I sent a pistereen to Master Gilles and got 14; of Tea for it 
4"' I went to Amherst with Rob^ McMurphy an Evidence in his case 
with Cosmore Gordon and I was desired by Stephen Lund and Tho^ Mc- 
Clure to tarrie till their case about james McClure as an Evidence was 
Decided and I tarried untill the 7th being 4 days Lund agreed to pay my 
Expences at Mr Ellsworths and Tho" McClure to pay me as much for my 
time toward which he gave a dollar I lent a dollar to Rob' McMurphy and 
paid his Expences at Ellsworths which was ten shillings and the Regr and 
I did as much Probate business as came to 6 £ and we Reed 4-10-0 of it 
and I got 29/4 of it as my part and I paid a dollar for dyeing and pressing 
9 yards of cloath and I bot a pound of Chocolate and a Quire of paper from 
Mr Albree for which I paid him 2 /4 and I came home the Evening of the 
7th my Expences was about 18 / , 

8"' Doctor Dugal was at our house and we got as many Medicines from 
liim as came to 2/3 and I gave him 2/8 and would not take any change 

On the 3d I got a bushell of corn in the Ears from Zech Chandlers 

10"' I writ a Deed of Nathan Sheds lott in Bedford viz no 21 in the 6th 
Rang to me and of his house and shop And a Bill of Sale of all his house- 
hold goods and blacksmith tools and of his Cow and hogs And I settled 
with james Vose for my Rates and for my james and Rob' and we fell 
10-11-93^^2 in flebt yet to pay And I got a pound of Tea from Master Gilles 
for which I paid Mr Parkers wife 4/ 6 

11"' I went to Nathan Sheds with the vpi'itings I did yesterday and he 
was from home and I went to job Dows and had his stallion serve my 
Mare I chose to have the chance of the Season for two dollars which he 
said was his price for the Season and I came to John Craigs and lodged 
there 

12"' Shed made 13 harrow teeth for David I took the iron there yester- 
day and he made a new shoe of my iron and set two on my mares fore 
feet and I brot home my Cross cut saw Rob' Gillcrist broke above three 



484 MATTHE^y patten's DiAuy. 

inches off one end of her and a tooth out toward the middle of the saw I 
spent some hours with John McCui'dy on his affair and John Taggarts and 
yesterday I had 2 quarts of Oats and }.2 a bowle of Tody at Dows for which 
I paid /8 

IS'** I went to Deacon Smiths mill and took two bushells of Rie with 
me and the deacon ground it and I got a bushell of corn from him and 
I paid him a Dollar for it and the bushell I had from him the 24th of 
last April and I signed a Wart for Israel Smith against W. Nutts son 
Sam" 

14th J -went out to James place and brot home the bushell of Rie David 
was to have from Sam^i Goffe for Carting Rie for him last Summer 

15*'^ I went to Esqr McGregores to hear and assist John McCurdy in his 
Case "with John Taggart before Esqrs McGregore and Little McCurdy ga,ve 
me a dollar 

17th I signed a Warrant for John Caldwell McNeal against Andrew Fos- 
ter and Foster and Nathaniel Merril came toward night and paid me 4/ for 
James Underwoods drawing the Wart and my signing it and I got 13^ £ 
of Steal from John Patten and I went to Sheds and he laid two axes for 
me the iron was Davids and he tempered Roberts broad ax 

18"* I went to Litchfield and Riin lines for W'": Patterson the forenoon 
and the afternoon for Esqr Underwood and David Quig and lodged at 
Esqr Underwoods 

19th ^m Patterson gave me 13^ bushel of white Beans and I was on the 
business of Examing Esqr Underwood and General Nichols on their Com- 
miteeship for Absentees at McGaws Col: Lovewell who was one with 
them did not come and we appointed to meet the 10th of June at McGaws 
again 

20th I got 1^ £ of Brimstone and 2 £ and 2 ounces of flax at McGaws for 
which I paid him 1/11 and I sowed our flax seed toward night there was 
considerable shower in the afternoon 

21^* I spent the forenoon at Chandlers on Joseph Houstons acct with 
the Commitee who was chosen by the town to Settle with him on his Con- 
stableship for the year 1780 and the afternoon I w^ent to Esqr McGregores 
on John McCurdy s case with John Taggart the justices judged to bind 
Taggart and his wife and his son james over to July Sessions I got home 
at midnight or after my Expences was jo ^ pistereen which I paid and Mr 
Alexander sent his sons John and james and three pair of Oxen and 
plowed for us by Frenches and sent hay to serve his oxen and ours today 
and to serve ours tomorrow 

22^1 we finished plowing by Frenches and I took a bushel of Rie and }4 
a bushel of corn to to Deacon Smiths mill and left it because I could not 
get it ground 

24"» I and Sarah furrowed alhnost the field by Frenches and I gave 
John Smith of Lindboro a licence to sell land of his fathers Estate the 
fees is a dollar he could not pay it but promised to pay it at July court 

25"* I hung a net and went to the falls being the first this year and 
I got 13 Shad and I lodged at Esqr McGregores 

2G*h I had i^ a pint of Sling in the morning of N: E: Rum and }4 a 



matthp:w patten's diaey. 485 

Ijowle of Brandy todey and ).< a mug of Cydar at noon at Esqr McGregores 
and I got I'd shad and David come up in the afternoon and he got 3 shad 
I gave one shad for a Cake and 15 I brot home 

27"' I had a mug of Cydar at Esqr McGregors and and I had 1)4 mug of 
N. E. tody at Oliver Emersons and Alex'' got 12 shad and I got one 

28"* went to james Pinkertons to get salt but he had none I got two 
ounces of Indigo from him for which I paid him 2 / and I came to McGaws 
and I got two bushels of salt from him for which I paid him 13/ my 
expences was /8 including my ferriage 

29*^ I suned two bushel of Rie and went to Deacon Smiths mill and he 
ground it and on the 31st I knit a net for the setting place and hung it 
and I went to Thomas Boies concerning his Daughter Anns being mth 
Child of a bastard but defered takeing her Examination 

JUNE FIRST 

I went to the falls and Alex' went the evening before and he got 30 
shad and I got 12 and a ten pound Salmon we brot 35 home 4 Alex"' gave 
for a knif 2 I gave to Oliver Emerson toward our tody we had there and 
one I forgot how I put it off 

2'^ I got 8 shad 4 of them I gave Oliver Emersons vnfe toward our tody 
two I let Zech Pike have and one I gave Capt Aiken and one I gave David 
Farmer for one he lent me last year 

S'^ I and Alex'' got 10 and brot them home 

3<i I got 7 shad and I sent them to Major Tolford and Alex'" and I fished 
Eels at the setting place and we got 70 this week Alex' and me had two 
mugs of tody at Emersons and }4 pint of Rum at MacGregores carried 
out of the house on the night of the 2d I lodged at MacGregores and 
I had 32 a mug of Brandy tody 

5"' I took two bushels of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and left it and I 
appointed Adam Smith to go to the fall for what eels I could get he and 
I went and we got 121 I allowed him 21 and he got 100 that he is to acct 
for toward the toal I have had of him and his father I had a pint of Rum 
from Master Gilles on credit 

7"* I got the meal of the Rie I took to Deacon Smiths mill the 5th and 
We planted several Quarts of corn where the Crows had pulled it up and 
I went to the falls and I got 00 eels and David got 3:C and Alex' got 14 the 
night following David paid Eb' Hacket 20 I owed him since last year and 
my bror got 25 and I let Lt Orr have 55 and 7 we kept at home which 
distribution of the Eels was on the 8th on said 8th I took the proof of 
james Blanchards Will the Excur paid me a dollar and Owes me 4/ yet 

9"' I attended at McGaws for Col Baldwin to to settle with the Comtee 
of the General Court on Absentees Estate and one Joseph Abbot lodged 
a caveat against james Blanchards will I appointed him a hearing and he 
got a summons and he paid me one dijllar and a half the half dollar Mrs 
McGaw got toward what I owe her husband 

10*'' I attended at McGaws for me Col: Baldwins with the C(jurts 
Comtee 



486 MATTHEW PATTEN S UIAKY. 

11 "> Alex' aud I went to the falls in the Evening and we got 73 Eels the 
night following 

12"^ I took them to John Craigs in Goffcstown 

14'*i I attended at INIcGaw.s for Col: Baldwin with the Courts Conimitee 

15th X went to Litchfield and got two bushels of corn from Esqr Under- 
wood one of them he proposd to give me for his part of Runing lines for 
him and David Qixig and the other he trusted me aud Joseph Craig brot 
me two bushels of corn toward the Eels I took there the 12th and I took 
it to Deacon Smiths mill as I went to Litchfield and I brot the two bushels 
from Esq Underwoods to Deacon Smiths mill aud left it aud brot the 
meal home of the two biishels that came from Craig 

16*'^ I plowed among the corn by Frenches 

17th I went to the falls and fished at the setting place I got one salmon 
of 13 £ aud 10 Eels aud the night following I got 41 ou the 18th I came 
home with them and let John Lincoln have 40 of them and I let Rob* 
Gilcrist have 30 Eels 

19tii I weut to McGaws and got a pound of Tea and }o Do of snuff on 
Credit and the afternoon I held a Court at Chubbucks james Underwood 
and his wife Compt and james McQuead Respt the Compt Quashed 

21"' I granted Guardianship for Capt Whiting for four of his bror 
Beuj'"* Children I charged him two Dollars which he promised to pay in 
grain or money 

22<i The afternoon we were all at Chandlers Barn Raising aud james 
Ne'asmith came to make me a pair of Shoes aud Alex workt in his Room 
and I borrowed outsoles and heel taps of Majr Goffe this morning 

23'^ I gave Commission to Examin the claim on Daniel Flanders Estate 
and the Wart to set of the Widows thirds for which the man who came 
for them paid me a dollar for them 

24^'' I set out for Newberry and lodged at Littles tavern in Plastow 

25"^ I went to David Curriers and he had sent 4-18-0 the Remainder of 
the price of the logs he had from my David this spring by John Wallace 
and I got a Canuoe and went to Pattens Cove aud john Patten paid me 
for a stick Oak that he had workt up of 71 feet 35/6 and I paid Capt 
Titcomb 1/11 }4 for takeiug the stick up 

26th I went to Newberry old town to see our james aud lodged where 
he Boarded "with David Dole 

28*'^ Came and lodged at Russels at Mullikans ferry found Sam^i 
Greenough had workt up a stick of 30 feet but he could not pay me for it 

29"> I came to Swans ferry aud Reed a Dollar from Capt Tylrs son 
toward some Pine logs he has picked up of ours he says he has got logs 
to make 1200 feet of board and I came to Pentucket and lodged at 
Spauldings where our Robert lived 

30"^ I came home on this journey my Expeuces was 1-3-2 }i aud I bot 
as many things aud for takeing up a stick of timber at Pattens Cove 
1-16-0- % and Reed 2^ 



I 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 487 

JULY FIRST 

I Reed the 4-18-0 that John Wallace brot from David Currier and I paid 
Capt Aikeu the four Dollars I got from Theopolus Griffen by an order 
from him the 14th of last February and carried Mrs Shed a dollar iu 
money and some shugar and tea Bisquit and Ginger bread Mr Shed sent 
by me from Newbury Port 

3<i I paid Sam^^ Goffe four Dollars toward my note for the Mare and 
I went to Litchfield and I bot 3 yards of shallon for David and a patch for 
a gown for Polly from Major McQueston Came to 1-17-6 toward which 
I paid him two Dollars and I gave him my note for the Remainder being 
1-5-6 on demand ^vith Intrest and I bot IS £ of Pork from Mrs Harvill 
and her son Gershaw for which I paid them two Dollars my ferriage at 
Reeds and 3^ a bowle of tody some snuff and 4 bisket at McGaws for 
which I paid 1 / 

3^ I brot away the two bushels of Rie unground from Deacon Smiths 
mill that I took there about ten days ago and I took it and a biishell of 
corn to Sam'^ Moors mill and had it Ground and I paid Oliver Emersons 
^vife two shillings being what we owed there for Grog this spring and 
I ppad her six pence toward some tallow I had from winter was a year 
and I took Iron and 10 ounces of Steel to Wells in Goffstown to get a two 
inch Auger made 

5"^ David writ a Deed for Joseph Barron to Rob' Alexander and I took 
the acknowledgment unpaid and I Granted admr on the Estate of 
Benjamin Bowers late of Merrymac to his Widow Sarah for which Esqr 
Cummings paid nie 10/ 

T"' I went Amherst on the hearing appointed on janies Blanchards wii 

8"' I attended the Sessions and did Pi-obate business 

!)"' I attended the sessions and did some Probate Business 

10"^ I attended the Sessions and Bot two pound of snuff at 6/ and I paid 
the Landlord Smith 5/10 I owed him since I kept there and I bot 14 £ of 
shxigar at 8/ and 13 bisket at 1/4 and 1)4 pint of W: I: Rum at /lO and an 
earthen peper box at /6 and 3 lemons at 1/3 and /lO I paid toward a Scyth 
for Joseph Patten and 3/4 1 lent Mr Ellsworth I Reed 1/14/4 Probate fees 
I was /3 of Expeuces at Capt Love joys my Expences at Ellsworths was 8/ 
and as I came home I swore George Orr to his bringing two Barrels of 
Rum he got of Joseph Tyler into this state and I paid the clerk 1/4 for an 
excn against W'" Newman 

12"^ I swore David Riddel to liis bringing three Barrels of Rum from 
jos Tyler into this State I charged 1/ unpaid and I went to Sam" Moors 
Mill and took two bushels of Rie and a little more than a bushell of Indian, 
with me but did not get it ground and I went to Wells the black smith 
and got a two inch Auger his sou made for us we found the Iron and Steel 
and I paid his mother 2/6 for his makeing it he was not at home and had 
left the Auger with her for me 

13"> I went Sam" Moors for the grain I took there yesterday and it was 
was not ground nor they could not and I brot it home ungroiind 



488 MATTHEW patten's DIAllY. 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JULY 13th 1784 

14"' I took the two bushels of Rie and the bushel of Indian I had brot 
home from Sam" Moors nngi-onnd to Capt Samuel Moors mill and had it 
ground and I went to McGaws and I bot two chip hats at 1/8 and 1}4 pint 
of W: I: Rum at 1/ H^ and a pound of Tea at 5/ and 11|^£ of Rice at 
4}4 pr £ for which I paid his wife two Dollars 

15"^ I settled all accts with Esqr McGregore and came out about even 
and we agreed to part even and he made an Entry that he had settled my 
acct and crossed the acct in the book 

16**' I set out for Concord at Mr Sheds desire to try to settle a Writ 
Green had filled for james Orr agt him and went as far as up as Esqr 
Blodgets farm and met Green and I turned and settled at Esqr McGregore 
and I aggi'eed to pay the Service and got a line to Col Kelley from Green 
and I came to Col: Kelleys and I paid him a dollar that Shedd gave me 
last night which he accepted for the service and I came to Sam'^ Kennedys 
and lodged there I had i^ a mug of Brandy tody at Esqr McGregores for 
which I paid seven pence very near 

17"' I came home by the way of Sheds to inform what I had done in his 
affair and I got home about the middle of the afternoon 

19"' I writ two letters for Mr Shed one to Mr William Chamberlain and 
the other to james Orr took me about all the forenoon and I sent Alex 
Chester for our Betsey who we* heard was not well and wanted to come 
home he had Mr Underwoods Mare for her to Ride home on 

20"' I borrowed my brors Mare and I went to Lieut Charity Lunds on a 
hearing about james McClures Guardianship I did not enter on the matter 
but adjourned untill the second Tuesday of September next at one of the 
Clock after then to meet at Lieut Walkers William McClure and Esqr 
Cummings signed a Note of six dollars to Mr Shannon for our pay and 
and I came to Carrie to Capt Whitings and lodged there 

2 1st I go^ 2 bushels of Indian corn from Capt Whiting toward what he 
owes me for granting him Guardianship for four of his bror Benjamins 
children and I brot the corn to Deacon Smiths Mill and left it there 

22'i I fited some Rakes in the forenoon and the afternoon I finished 
-plowing among the corn by Frenches for hilling 

23'! I went to Deacon Smiths and brot home the Meal of the two bushels 
of corn I left there the 21st And I swore John Burns junr of his bringing 
a barrel of rum from one Phineas Parker of 38 gallons into this state he 
could not make change to pay me and I began to mend one of my Cart 
wheels 

24"' I finished puting in two new fellows in the wheels 

26"! I went to Amherst on the hearing I had appointed concerning 
james Blanchards Will at the Request of Joseph Abbot but Did not Deter- 
min because Abbot requested a continuance which I granted and to be 
heard the first tuesday of October next at two of the clock afternoon at 
Mr Ellsworths in Amherst and I bot }4 of peper and 1}^ piut of W : I : 
Rum for which I paid 2/3 to Allbrec and I got 7 £ of Rice from him on 
Credit at 2/2 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 489 

27'h I borrowed a small streck of tyre for my Cart from Mr Alexander 
of 8 Jij £ weight & Houston set a shoe on my mares fore foot 

28'^ I got James Houston to Cut a little off the streck I borrowed from 
Mr Alexander yesterday and make 5 nails of the peice he cut of and I lent 
Adam Dickey 500 board nails and one day last week I lent Samuell Abbot 
.")0 board nails 

30"^ I went to Lieut Orrs Saw mill with the team and brot 18 boards of 
White Pine and left 4 boards and a plank of the same stock behind and 
brot them to where we intend to set the new barn 

31*' I took 4 £ of Iron to james Houston and and he laid it on my plow 
shear and I borrowed what steel (of English steel) of French as would 
steel the shear it took two pounds and I had a peice of Steel of my own 
that did the Colter and he made a new link for my small draft chain of 
my iron and shut it and shut another link in it 

AUGUST 2d 

"We viz David and me went to mowing at the Little meadow being the 
first this year a very hot day Alex'' unable to help us 

S"! workt at the meadow a very hot day 

4th very hot clouded in the afternoon 

5tii (jth & 7tii -^vorkt at the haying Alex'' got home six load and we left two 
load or' more in cock and about five or six cocks in swath we drinked 3>^ 
Quarts of Rum this week jean and Sarah helped us the 6th and 7th to 
turn and Rake hay 

9ti> I went to Litchfield and got 31^ bushels of Indian corn from Esq 
Underwood on Credit and I brot it to Capt Samuel Moors mill and had it 
Ground and I got about % a bushel of Rie ground of our own and I got 
\% pints of W : I : Rum at McGaws for which I paid /13>^ and at /2 at 
Reads for ferriage 

IQth nth 12"' 13'"^ and 14"> workt at haying and got home the last of our 
liay we have about 17 loads this year at the little meadow on the 14th 
Joseph Patten brot a load of hay for us and on the 12th I got \}i Gallon of 
Rum from james Thompsons wife on our Davids acct towards what he 
owes our David jean and Sarah helped us the 10th and 11th and jean 
helped us the 10th and 9th jean four days and Sarah 2 this week 

16"' We began to fellow the back field 

17"' I went to Capt Whiting and got \]4_ bushel of Rie being the 
Remainder of the two dollars I charged him for Guardianship for 4 of his 
bror Benj"^ children the 21st of last June I got two bushels of corn the 21st 
of last July toward the fees which with the Rie today makes the pay I had 
>< a mug of W : I : Tody at McGaws for which I paid five pence 

IS"' Betsey went to Deacon Smiths mill with 1>^ bushell of Rie I got at 
Capt Whitings yesterday and had it Ground and Alex'' and I plowed in 
tlie back field and David hewed at the Girts for the Barn 

20'h I swore John Aiken junr to his bringing two barrels of Rum from 
Joseph Tyler into this State he gave me a dollar out of which there is one 
shilling for this and five shillings toward my Ruuing lines for them the 
30th of December 1 782 



490 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

/ 

21^* Alex'^ and oiir old oxeu and our Cart helped janies Houston to Cart 
in of his hay 

23'' Alex'' went to Litchfield and got 3 l.y bushels of Indian corn from 
James Nochor juiir toward my Riming lines for him Beiij" Blodget and 
W" Richardson faul was a year 

24*^* I let James Wallace have 200 of brick to make our Oven and I writ 
a deed from Ensign Chnbbiick to Levi Whitman 

25"* Alex"' Wilson of N^wboston summoned me an Evidence in his and 
his bror james Case with Hitchbiirn and gave me 1/6 of fees 

26''> I went and got two Cuts of Red Oak logs of Sam" Moors on to 
the ways to make Braces and Covin joice for our barn frame 

27"' I went to Lieut Orrs mill and brot 7 sticks for braces and 17 studs 
for the barn frame 

28*'' I had John McLaughlins young Oxen and brot two stocks of pitch 
pine board from Lieut Orrs mill to the Barn frame 

SO"* In the forenoon I went to Esqr McGregores and Notified him of his 
being chosen to arbitrate between Capt Stinson and me on the 16th of next 
Septr at his own house 

SI"*' I had Joseph Pattens steers and I went to Sam" Moors mill and got 
295 feet of Red Oak slit work from him for our Barn frame and 1 granted 
admr on the Estate of josiah Brown late of Weare to his sou Timothy for 
which he paid me 10/ we had james Wallace and Joseph Patten and Joseph 
Bell helping us frame at our Barn being the first except putting the Cells 
together 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

Rainy the fore part of the day part of the afternoon about % of it james 
Wallace Joseph Bell and Joseph Patten helped us frame 

2'' & 3'' james Wallace Joseph Bell and Joseph Patten helped us frame 

4"' Joseph Bell and Joseph Patten helped us frame on the 2d I Granted 
Administration on John Gillmores Estate to his Bror james and John 
McConohe they Ciould not pay the fees 

6"^ Joseph Bell and Joseph Patten helped us the forenoon and james 
Wallace came after Diner and we Raised the frame in the afternoon we 
borrowed five quarts of Rum off French 

7*'' I granted Guardianship to Lieut Henry Ferguson of Peterboro for 
three of Revd John Morrisons sons (viz) John james and William for which 
he paid me two Dollars 

On the 3d our Sarah got 19 !o £ of Pork for which she paid 14/5 from 
Mr Alexander and on the 4th I bot half of a heifer as she stood out and in 
for five dollars from james Underwood my half weighed 110)^ of beaf the 
hide weighed 44 £ I expect to discount it on what he owes me & I got }4 
£ of Tea and 2 £ of Shugar from John Parker on Credit on the 8th 

9"' I gave widow Parker of Litchfield a wart to set off her thirds in her 
late husband John Parkers Estate for which she paid me 14 ^ dollar and 
we finished fellowiug the back field 

10"' Alex' workt for james Wallace toward his helping us frame at the 
Barn and Harris had my Mare and Ground Apples at my bror Mill for 
between six and seven Barrels of Cydar 



MATTHEW I'ATTEM's DIARY. 491 

ll"i Alex'' workt for james Wallace on the same acct as yesterday and I 
and our old oxen workt at the highway on Walkers hill and I got a barrel 
of Cydar from Tho" Lancey to be paid in my way not money 

13"^ james Houston made two new shoes for my Mares fore feet and set 
them the Iron I had would not make the shoes and he found some and I 
gave him my Iron in lieu of it and David set out for Newbury and our 
Bettsey went over to our Uncle Tolfords to live there and I began to Cut 
Stalks by Frenchs 

14"^ I borrowed Majr Goffes horse and went to Lieut Walkers on the 
hearing of james McClures Petition we adjourned untill the first Friday 
next following in October next to meet at Ellsworths in Amherst at one of 
the Clock afternoon Capt Chamberlain promised to pay the costs which 
of this meeting whicn is six Dollars The Regr and I agreed that he should 
take the pay of our last meeting and I take this from Capt Chamberlain 
for this meeting my Expences at Walkers and McGaws was 1/7 I bot )^ £ 
of snuff and two Gimblets at McGaws for which I paid 2/2 

15'^ I had my Brors mare and went to Cairns in New Boston to get him 
to come to Esqr McGregores tomorrow to my Arbitration with Capt Stin- 
son my Expences was a shilling 

16'*i I attended at Esqr McGregores on Capt Stinson and my arbitration 
Esqr Underwood and McGregore and Lieut Orr were the arbitrators Stin- 
son accused me of takeing down his land when 15/ an acre was bid for 
and set it up again and struck it off to myself for 6/ per acre and produced 
John Stewart and james Mann who Swore it I moved for a Continuance 
which was granted untill the 3d Tuesday of November next at ten of the 
clock forenoon then to meet at McGregores again and David gave 
McGregore a Dollar toward the Expences james Cairns and Chandler 
attended on my account but not swore 

17"^ I got 2 £ of Shugar from John Parker on Credit Da\^d got home 
yesterday from Newbury but got no money from Mr Bagley and our 
jam-es sent us a pound of Tea by David a Rainy day 

18'h I finished a draft of Mrs McLaughlins Will some Rain today 

20*^ I drawed Mrs McLaughlins Will anew and David and our old Oxen 
worked for Tho« Lancey and Alex' bound the Stalks by Frenches and car- 
ried them to the side of the field and shocked them with a little I helped to 
shock 

2P' I went to Esqr Underwoods and got S}4 bushels of Indian corn from 
him and brot it to Deacon Smiths mill and had it ground my ferriage at 
Reeds was foiu- pence and I bot two dearning needles at McGaws for 
which I paid two coppers 

22"! I granted Guardianship of a daughter of the Revd John Morrisons 
to Lieut Henry Ferguson and other Writings copys &c for which he paid 
me two dollars yesterday and today Alex' and our Old Oxen workt for 
Tho" Lancey 

23^ Alex' cleaned up three bushels of Rie of Tho« Lancys of his and ho 
brot it home to help pay for David and his helping him and the Oxen 

24'h I set out for Amsbury and Arrived there and lodged at Pearsons 
David sowed two bushels of Rie 



492 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

25"i I went to Tylors and Reed 2-16-0 from him and Searl on Enoch 
Bagleys acct of the Oak Timber Bagley had of mine this Summer and I 
came to Chences tavern and lodged there 

26*'^ I came home my Expences was 10/ on this journey 

27th I -went to Mr Philip Clemens and Agreed on a Swap of my old 
Oxen to a pair of young Oxen I agreed to give him three dollars to boot 
and Alex'f went up with our Oxen and Sent a Note with him to Clemens 
payable in three months for the money 

28'''^ I went to Amherst to the Superior Court and got the Coppy of my 
case from the Clerk of the Inferiour Court for which I paid 8/6 and I 
entered my case at the Superiour Court for which I paid the Clerk 
1-4-0 

SO*'^ my case was called and Smith was Defaulted and he came about an 
hour afterward and I consented to take off the Default and had an Order 
for a Survey and agreed on Capt Whiting to do it and he to appoint the 
Chainmen 

OCTOBER 2d 

I got the order from the Clerk for the Survey for which I paid him 2/ 
and came home this week I bot an Ink horn and one ounce of Wafers at 
Fletchers and Danas store for which I paid 1/4 and I bot at Albrees store 
14 £ of Shugar at 8/ two pound of snuff at 5/8 and a 3>^ of Alspice at a 
pistereeu which I paid Except 4/ which they trusted me and I paid them 
2/2 that I owed them for 7 £ of Rice I had from them the 26tli of last 
July and I settled with Ellsworth for all my Expences he owed me 7/ and 
I gave him a dollar which paid him all off except ten pence which I ow him 
yet 

4"^ I measured the Easterly part of the 3d Division no 121 at Wilham 
Moors desire it measured 102 acres and 46 Rods and the afternoon I held a 
Court Sam" Eaton Plat james Shirley Deft they settled the case them- 
selves I Reed a Dollar but my fees was but 5/9 l)ut I could not give the 
three pence for want of change 

5th J "v^ent to Amherst to attend on a hearing on Joseph Abbots petition 
against james Blanchards Will Abbot would not pay the fees and I dis- 
mist the petition 

6"^ and 7"' I attended on Probate business and was in the Sessions the 
7th day 

,<^tii J -^ag jjj fjjg Sessions and in the afternoon I attended on a hearing 
on james McClures Petition but he could not pay the fees nor person 
would appear to pay it for him and I dismist the petition at the Probate I 
Reed nine dollars of fees last week and this week and I Reed three dollars 
from Col Baldwin for tliree days I spent at McGaws this summer a set- 
tling with the Comtee of the General court on absentees Estates and I 
Reed a dollar from John Smith of Lindborough for a licence to sell land he 
got it the 24th of last may My Expences at Ellsworths was 13/ I came 
home the 8th in the Evening 

9"^ I spent the forenoon with Mrs Sullivan and james Moor no pay for 
it yesterday I paid Capt Chamberlain two dollars tuoward the Corn I had 
from him three or four years ago 



MATTHEW patten's DIAIIY. 493 

14"^ I set out for Newbury lodged at Mr Spaldiugs pd Major McQueston 
6/8 toward my note 

15'ii I settled with Nathan Tylor for two oak logs of 76 feet at 14/ pr 
Tun came to 25/6 and a pine log of 33 feet at 24/ pr M came to 7/ he paid 
me /6 and gave me an order on his bror Joseph for 32/ and I got an Order 
from Jacob Tylar on Esqr McGregore for 7/ toward some logs he got of 
mine and lodged at Dr Greatterdge 

16th I Reed from Mr Enoch Bagle 10-10-6 for what timber had of mine 
that had not been paid before I Reed 2-16-0 toward it the 25 of Septr from 
Tylar and Searl which with the 10-10-6 made the whole of what timber 
he had which was 13 Tun and 18 feet he took one stick at Mr Buck in 
Haverhill and two above the Lyons mouth I allowed him 2/6 for pay for 
catching them and I Reed 32/ from Joseph Tylar on the order Nathan 
dra wed on him yesterday and I bot }.< a quintal of _ Cod fish for which I 
paid 11/ and I bot 6 Thoiisaud of Shingle nails for which I paid 19/6 and I 
bot A scale and Dividers for which I paid 4/10 and I bot Mr Murrys 
thaukesgiving sermon for which I paid 1/8 and I come to Mr Chences and 
lodged there over the Sabath 

18*** I came home and I bot 8 £ of sole leather in Hempsted for which I 
paid 9/7 my Expences this journey was 14/3 

2i6t I went to Litchfield and I paid McGaw 1-8-3 being all I owed him 
and a dollar that my David had given him a year ago that was bad that 
was Returned And I paid 1-0-8 to to Majr McQueston on my note and 
for three sceans of twist for Davids cloaths being all I owed him and I 
paid Capt Chamberlain 3-9-0 With two dollars I paid him at Amherst on 
the 8th Instant and Six Dollars he answered on McClures petition paid 
him for 16 bushells of corn I had from him the 20th of Febr 1781 it was a 
dollar pr biishell and I allowed him Intrest which came to 20/ and I had 
% a bowle of W : I : Tody for which I paid I i:% 

22"^ I paid james McLaughlin a dollar toward his months wages this 
summer and I drawed a Complaint and Wart against james Durrah for a 
breach of the peace on james Gillmor he did not pay for it 

23'' I went to james Gillmors in Merrymac with our Oxen and Cart and 
I got two barrels of Cydar from Ensu Vickere he owed me 4/ 10 toward 
the Cydar and I owe him 3/2 for the two barrels and I got a barrel of 
Cydar from james Gillmor to be Settled in our acct he owed me 5/ for 
granting Admr on John Gillmors Estate and 4/ for the Compt and Wart 
yesterday And I got a barrel of Cydar from Thomas Lancey I let him 
have a white Oak hogshead this week 

25"^ I got another barrel of Cydar from Thomas Lancey 

26"^ I went at Capt Timothy Batons desire to Run the lins of his farm 
in Goffestown and lodged at his Tenants Mr Pikes 

27"* was on the same business but did not finish And I came to Esqr 
McGregores by appointment and took the proof of Aaron Wells will for 
which Silas Wells one of the Executors paid me 13/10 for the proof of the 
will and some other services I had done about the affair of the Estate 

30th -^e ground what Apples we had at my Brors mill 



494 MATTHEW TATTEN'S DIAUY. 

NOVEMBER FIRST 

We pressed our pumiss we had 2% barrels and I tooli the proof of 
Thomas Oaldwells Will of Nottingham West for which I charged 10/ and 
William Burns one of the Exers paid me 7/ of it and 3/ Remains due and 
Alex'' got a barrel of water Cydar out of a Chees of Adam Dickeys he left 
on the press he gave it to Alex' 

2*^ I took three bushels of our new corn to Samuel Moors mill and it 
gTOuud and on the 26th of October I took 2'.< bushels of our new corn 
there which was the first this year and had it ground there and I went to 
James Barrs for Mr Shed to see if he would give him Sparance for what 
he owes him 

3*^ David writ a deed from Ensign Chubbuck to josiah Gordon of the 
Easterly lott of Will"^ Baruets old place and other -writings and I took the 
acknowledgement for which I charged 3/ and David owed Chubbuck 1 /4 
which answered Chubbucks half all but /2 and Gordon Owes 1/G And I 
granted Admr on the Estate of John Wiley late of Peterboro to his son 
Samuel Wiley the Widow being dead I charged 12 ' for the Admr and 
other trouble and time spent he could not pay me but jiromised to pa,j me 
at January Probate 

6'^ I went to Moses Barrons and Asa Barns and Summoned them to 
attend at Capt Stiusons and my Arbitration I got james Patterson to go 
with me my expences /8 

8"> I took 3 bushells of oui* own corn to Sam" Moors mill and had it 
ground 

9th "^e butchered our Ox who had had the horn distemper he weighed 
335 £ of Beaf and 57}.^ of a hide 

10*'* I set out to go to Capt Underbills in Chester to sit with Rob' Will- 
son Esqr and Mr Pearson Richardson on a 'Rnle of Refferance between 
Capt Karr and Icabid Harriman and lodged at Robert McMui-phys 

Ijth I -went to Capt Underbills and attended on the business of the Ref- 
ferance 

12"^ was on the business of the Refferance and signed our Report for 
the court about 8 or 9 oclock in the evening we were Unanimous in judg- 
ment the i^arties paid our expences there I took a note from Capt Karr of 
three dollars for my pay and lodged this night as well as last at Capt 
Underbills 

IS^^ I came home and I bot at Pinkertons an ounce of snuff at /3 a pen- 
knif at 1/1 a qt of W : I : Rum at 1/2 and a bit of Bees wax at 4 coppers 
which things I paid the money for being in the whole 2/8% 

15"' I had a case come before me William Kennedy Plant james Bell 
Deft they settled the affair themselves I took a note for Mr Underwoods 
part of the fees which was 7/ 7 and my part was 4/9 and David went after 
witnesses in Stinsons and my case 

16"^ I attended at Esqr McGregores on the arbitration between Capt 
Stinson and me about his land I bot at Cairns Vendue I had Samuel 
McFarland Lieiit Moses Barron Asa Barnes John Aiken james Vose 
Nathan Shed Majr Goff'e james Martin and Zachariah Chandler as Evi- 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 495 

deuces the Ai-bitrators Awarded that I should give Capt Stiusoii a Deed of 
the laud back agaiu aud to have a year to move the barn and time to pay 
lue seven pounds ten shillings and him to pay the cost of Refferauce which 
was four pounds four Shilliugs and each of us to pay our own Witnesses 
with which we complied and I gave him a Deed and he paid me the 
money Awarded me and we got lioiue awhile before break of day And I 
took the proof of Benjamin Dodges Will of Liudbor" Exhibited by Major 
Clark who is one of the Executors 

17"* I Granted Administration on the Estate of Capt Nathaniel Batchel- 
<ler of Liudboro to his sou Joseph for which he paid me 10/ aud Majr 
Clark paid me 10/ for the proof of Dodge yesterday 

18"* I paid James McLaughlin half a Guine which paid him what I 
owed him for his months work this Summer with what I had paid him 
before aud went to james Mathes* and finished the writings between him 
and his son Rob* and did not make any charge but allowed Rob' to give 
me what Apple trees he pleased for doing them It Rained hard aud I tar- 
ried all night 

20"* I went to Deacon Siuiths mill with 1^^ bushel of corn aud had it 
ground he takes the Toal this year of what grain he grinds for me And 
james Bell helped me yesterday aud to day at underpining our house by 
Frenches 

23'^ I took the order for a Survey in james Smiths dispute and mine to 
Capt Whiting who is to do it but he could not fi:s on a time to do it And I 
got X^ of peper aud X^^ of Allspice at 1/ each and an Almanack at /6 aud 
% a bowle of W : I : tody at McGaws for which I paid 2/11 

24"* I took 3)^ bushels of corn to Deacon Smiths mill aud had it Ground 
aud I paid the Deacou three shillings for james Neasmiths makeiug shoes 
for us last year 

27"^ David went to McGaws and Majr McQuestons and at both shops 
aud ferriage &c he laid out 29/4 

29*^ I took two bushels of corn aud a bushel of the Rie we had from Mr 
Gordon to Deacon Smiths mill and had it ground and I had % a mug of 
Sling at Stephen Doles for which I paid /4 

30"* we butchered a sow we did not weigh her I suppos she weighed 
about eight Score aud we borrowed a peck of Salt from my Bror 

DECEMBER 1st 

I got 1%. bushel of Apples from james Reed I did not pay them he owes 
me for ^vriting a Deed and are to be discounted by agreement Aud I writ 
a Deed from Colo : Moor to james aud William Beunet I gave the ^v^iting 
to the Colo : and Bennets paid me a shilling for the acknowledgement 
And I granted Guardianship to Joseph Gibson of Henuiker of one Simeon 
Price a minor upward of 14 years of age for which Gibson i)aid me a 
dollar 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM DECBR 1st 1784 

2d was The General Thanksgiveing in the State of New Hampshire I 
got half a gallon of N: E: Rum from Z. Chandler for whicli I puid 1/9 
and I paid 1/4 for David to Chandler 



496 :matthew patten's diary. 

3*^ Was a great storm of Rain but ■warm 

4*^ last night the west and South wall of onx new Cellar wall tumbled in 

5^ being Sabath day was the highest freshet in Merrimack River ever 
seen by any i)erson now liveing last night the bridge over Piscataquog in 
Bedford Tvas floted off and ntimber of men worked all day saveiug the 
timber and plank uf the bridge I had a bowle of Tody at Esqr ilcGregores 
for -which I jmid a shilling 

6*^ I had James Martin jtmr James McLaughlin and josiah Grordou 
helping me dig a Drain to our Cellar and I got tw^o Quarts of Rum from 
Chandler for which I paid 1 /9 and I paid old Elisha Lincolns wife a dollar 
that I owed him for diging at our new Cellar last year 

7* James David and Alex'' Stoned up the drain we diged yesterday and 
filled up the Drain And I writ a Deed from Rob' Giffen to John Garduer 
of Giffeus place and a pair of leases notes &c for which Giffen paid me ^ 
a Dollar and the other ^h a dollar Gardner discounted in the two dollars I 
was to pay Gardner for james Xeasmiths makeing shoes for me last year 
which with a day Runing lines and some acknowledgements of Deeds I 
had done for him with the takeing the ackno"wledgement of Mrs Giffens 
signing the deed I writ today pays the two dollars I promised to pay for 
Neasmith 

9*^ I went to Deacon Smiths mill with 2 btishells of corn and one of Rie 
and had it Ground and I stickt up 27 boards being what boards I have at 
Lieut Orrs mill and james Xeasmith came to our house to mend and Make 
shoes 

lO*** Xeasmith shoes 

11'^ I went to Amherst and I bot 'd^^^ £ of Sntiff and 7 £' of Shugar and 
2 £ of Tea and a warming pan 38/4 att Means^ which I paid and I got a 
dozen of of Bisquet at Albrees for which I paid 1/4 Mr Ellsworth gave me 
my dinner and a glass of Rum and my lilare at hay and I gave one of Ms 
children /8 and I gave Lieut Barrons boy /2 for finding my penknif that I 
lost there about a month ago 

13^^ I went to McGaws and got six pair of heels for which I paid ten 
pence and I got a Ribbon for jean for which I paid a shiUiag james sent 
the money and I Run lines for Lungay for which he paid me a dollar 

14'*' I paid Majr Goffe three crowns i)eices which was 23/ toward my 
Note and I went and Run Round the 3d Division Jfo 16 for james Martin 
it contained 77^4 acres David Stevens and Aron Gage measured it but 
were not Sworn 

IS'*' I went to the Vendue of some things of the Estate of John Gillmor 
late of Merrymac and I bot a straight bodyd coat and jacot for 1-15-0 

17"^ I Run lines for Lieut Z Walker of the place he bot of David 
McCleary for which he paid me a dollar The night before I lodged at 
Joseph Thomas^ 

IS'** I took 3 bushels of Indian corn to Deacon Smiths mill and had it 
Ground 

On the 16th I took the proof of William Madoels will for which his son 
W™ one of the Execrs paid me 10/4 the 4 pence to be allowed or paid 
back 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 497 

20'*^ I measTired W" Moors land up the River for which he is to pay me 
in Grain 

2ist I got a bnshel of salt from McGaw for which I paid him 6/8 

on the 18th I paid james Neasmith two Dollars toward what shoes he 
has made and mended for me he has made five pair for me at this time 

.23 I went to Joseph Farmers to Run lines for him and David Rowel 
and lodged at Farmers 

24"^ and 25"^ I Run lines for them I charged them three Dollars and 
Farmer paid me IK^ and Rowell owes me the other dollar and a half 
Except a fresh cod fish of 17K £ and a pickled cod of 13 1^^ £ weight I had 
from him three years ago some time this Winter my ferriage and a glass 
of Rum I had at McGregores as I went over was /8 which I paid I came 
over the River on the Ice at McGregores 

27*^1 I hot a 15 pr Cent note of 7-7-11 from Nathan Shed for 6-13-4 and 
I paid him 2-15-4 of the money 

28"* I went to Litchfield As a surveyor to assist in laying off Widow 
Parkers thirds and I Reed the list of claims on Capt Parkers Estate and 
Return of the setting off of the thirds and I gave her a licence to sell the 
Estate and I settled her admr acct the probate fees came to 1-4-0 and I 
charged /18 for my journey &c and I made her an allowance of 10 pounds 
out of the Estate for the upholding of life but forgot to Reckon the the 
fees for it She paid me the other being Seven Dollars on the 30th and I 
paid Esqr Underwood five dollars for 10 bushels of corn I had from him 
last spring and Summer and I spent the fore part of the 30th at Lt Lunds 
about james McClures affair and I came to McGaws and I bot 4 yards of 
Shallon for which I paid 8/8 and I liad as much Liquor as I paid /7I3 for 

31 St I went to Sam^i Moors mill with two bushels of corn and had it 
ground and I had a bowle of W : I : Tody at McGregores for which I 
paid 1/ and I paid Mr Green four pence for mending our Tea pot And james 
Marrs paid 11 dollars toward his note and an order from Philip Clements 
for three dollars for the boot I owed him in a swap of Oxen this fauU And 
I paid Nathan Shed Eight dollars towards his 15 pr Cent note I got from 
him 

JANUARY 1st 1785 

I got a Quart of Rum from Chandler for which I paid Eleven pence 
S^ David went to Litchfield and bot at Majr McQuestons and McGaws 
for divers Articles 5/7 

5*'' I went to Amherst to attend the Probate and Sessions 6th 7th and 
8th I attended the Sessions we did as much Probate business as my part 
of the fees came to 37/6 and I got two dollars of former outstanding fees 
and the Register and I agreed that he should take all the Remaining out 
standing fees And I bot at Means 6 yards of Bais at 15/ and 20^^ of Iron 
at 8/ and 61-4 of jermin Steel at 4/2 and two pair of Mittens at 2/5 for 
which I paid the money my Expeuces at Ellsworths was 13/ and at Capt 
Lovejoys /6 I paid Albree 2/5 for a Gallon and I came home the 8th in the 
evening 

32 



498 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

11th I ■vveut to McGaws aud got 1% bushel of Oats at 2/ pr bushel aud % 
a bowle of W : I : Tody but did not pay for them And I gave Joseph Barus 
a Wai't of apprizenieiit ou his father Doctor Barns Estate and a Commis- 
sion to Receive the claims for them he paid me a dollar and he paid me 
two dollars for my going to Litchfield aiid takeing several Depositions for 
his father in his Dispute with Litchfield several years ago 

12''' I assisted my neighbour james Underwood to move to Goffestown 
and David and Alexander and our Oxen helped him move and we all tar- 
ried over night 

13*'' we came all home in our double Slea 

16*'' I tryed to get a horse to go to Newbury but could a well as I had 
done last week but all to no purposse And I got two bushel of corn from 
Sam'i Moor on John Ordways acct for fees he Owed me on his mothers 
acct about the admin and Settlement of his fathers Estate and I had % a 
bowle of tody at McGregores for which I paid 1/6 

On the loth I went to Ens John Riddles and endeavoured to look up the 
lines of Hannah Vickeres lott for which he promised to pay me and James 
Marrs paid me four dollars the Remainder of his note for the price of the 
Ox he bot the 4th of last October and I had }.2 a mug of tody at Chandlers 
for which I paid /3|^ 

18"' I went to Deacon Smiths and he let me have a bushel of Rie and a 
bushel of Indian and he ground it and I gave him a dollar toward it 

22'^ I lent five pounds and six ounces of Iron to Sam'i Goffe when the 
peice was cut it lost a quarter of a poimd in cuting the bar which made 
ten ounces over the 5 pounds 

26"' and 27"' we cut down young pines by the new house by Frenches 

28"' James Houston shod our Oxen the Shoes were old the u-on that made 
the nails was mine and I got a quart of Rum from Chandler for which I 
paid him nine pence 

3P* we got John Moors Mare and james and me set out for Newbury 
my wife went with us to Londonderry to see her freinds and we lodged 
at Rob- MacMurphys 

FEBRUARY 1st 

james and I set out and got to Sweats ferry and lodged at Carrs tavern 
a very tedious Storm of Snow from the Northeastward the wind high 

2*^ lay by all day the Snow 16 or 18 inches deep & Drifted much no 
paths 

3^ Set out from Carrs and got about a mile or a mile and a half beyond 
the port and could get no farther put up at Mr William Stickneys a private 
house 

4"' lay all day james went to old town bridge throiigh the fields 

5*"^ james Returned in the forenoon and we set out and got to the port 
by noon and we got to Caleb Johnsons in Hempstead and lodged there 

6*'' Sabathday we came to Major Tolfords about three miles and lodged 
there 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 499 

7"> we came home our Expences was 1-18-9 we bot a Grindstone for 
which 1-1-0 and % a quintal of Cod fish for which I paid 12/ audi got 
John Moors mare Shoes toe Corked and Set for which I paid two pistereens 
and I bot a pound of Casteel soap for which I paid 1 /2 

S"' I sent John Moors Mare home by my James and I went to Deacon 
Smiths and he let me have two bushels of Indian meal but I could not pay 
him for it 

9'^'* I lengthed the Commission for Receiving the Claims on Daniel 
Flanders Estate three moutlis and Reed the Return of Setting off of the 
Widows dower for which I charged a dollar Mr Isaac Chase got done but 
could not pay the fees 

10"^ I settled with james Underwood all accts as far as we could Remem- 
ber and he fell four pounds five shillings and three pence in my debt And 
there is 10/ for the Entry of my case with W" Newman and james Voses 
Service of the Writ 3/ which I paid that is not allowed me as yet which if 
allowed will be four pounds Eighteen shillings and three pence in my 
favr 

11"^ I went with John Riddel to Hannah Vickere and \^Tit a Deed from 
her to him of the lott No : 3 in the 7th Rang and took the acknowledg- 
ment Riddel is to ■g?ij me and I bot a Quire of paper at McGaws for which 
I paid a Shilling and I got a quart of Rum at Chandlers for which I paid /9 

12"> Alex"" and ouv Oxen and Sled helped james Houston to get 3 load of 
wood it began to Snow in the forenoon the afternoon and evening follow- 
ing was a tedious Show Storm from the Northwest it fell about a foot 
deep 

14th J -yyi-it; a considerable long letter for Mr Shed to Deacon Crofts of 
Roxbury 

15"^ I took a bushell and allmost a peck of Rie (that my Brors Girls sent 
over for me to carrie to Pinkertons to get them some things there which I 
must pay them for) to Samuell Moors mill and had it ground and he let 
me have the toal which I am to pay him for 

16**^ Alex' borrowed William Wallaces horse to go to Chester for his 
mother 

17'^ he set out with the Slea and Moly Patten and our Polly went with 
him 

IQ**" I got John Pattens mare and went to Deacon Smiths and he let me 
have two bushels of Indian meal that he had Ready ground On credit 

2P' I went to Litchfield at james Thompsons desire to settle his and 
Majr McQuestons Administrn acct on John Thompsons Estate and Majr 
McQueston was gone to Boston that I could not settle it and as I came 
home at McGaws I gave Neniou Clark a Commission to Receive and 
Examin the Claims on Hugh Ramsys Estate for which he paid me 3/ and 
I had % ^ niug of W : I : Tody for which I paid five pence 

22'' Joseph Pearson came here and I had to go with to Slieds to see to 
settle his affair with Shed and went and lodged at John Craigs 

23^ I went to McGaws McQueston and Dickeys place and got Z% 
bushels of Rie of Mc^Gaws part and had it groiind at Dows mill I had the 
Toal and came home with it 



500 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

24'!' I had to go to Sheds again on Pearsons acct and I gave Alex' Gill- 
crist a deed of ten acres and a Deed to Thomas Shirley of as much of the 
west end of Sheds lott and they let Pearson have Cattle on Sheds acct to 
the amount of 103 Dollars Pearson paid two pounds ten shillings of the 
cost of the law suit that he Sued Shed And I lodged at Alex'' Gillcrists it 
snowed the greater part of the day from the N : E : the wind high and 
the Storm constantly increasing it stormed all night and Drifted much 

25'^ a very heavy Storm all day and all the night following and I tar- 
ried at Gillcrist 

26* I set out for home after 13 o clock and had hard work to get home 
by dark much drifted at all places whei-e the wind could do it 

28*** I got ii}4 bushels of Rie from Will™ Moor up the River one bushell 
of it he owed me for Runing lines for him last faul and the other 2}4 I 
am to deliver him the same quantity at his brother Samuels when I bring 
the Rie from McGaws place 

MARCH FIRST 

I got two bushels of Indian meal from Deacon Smith on Cr 

3<i I went to Sam'' Moors to try to get some corn from him on jolin Ord- 
ways acct but got none 

4"^ I went Litchfield and Settled widow Parkers aditional admin" acct 
I charged two dollars but she could not pay me and I lodged there 

5*^ I settled james Thompson and Major McQuestons adminr acct of 
John Thompsons Estate for my journey and settling the acct I charged 
four dollars and for makeing the proportion among the creditors and the 
decree for payment I charged two dollars but they <lid not pay me only a 
Crown barr which my james got out of the present fees and /8 of fees 
that was formerly due I allowed 19/ out of the whole for the Barr and 
there Remains diie to me 30/ of the whole feas and I Reed the Inventory 
of Doctr Barns Estate and a petition from the Doctrs widow for an Allow- 
ance for swearing the Adminr and for considering the circumstance of the 
Estate and an Order for an allowance of ten poimds I charged two dollars 
but he could not pay me and I lodged at Will'" Bixbys 

6* I come home in the forenoon 

7*'' I went to Lieut John Halls being Derryfield annual meeting and I 
settled with james Gorman and he owed me ten pounds seven shillings 
beside what I had Reed I Reed two foot wheels and a new heck and the 
teething of a heck and a new end on a spool from himself which amounted 
to 38/6 and he answered a dollar to Charles Emerson that I drawed on 
order to Emerson for (but did not take up the order from Gorman when 
we settled) and he answer a bushel of Oats I had from Will™ Moor Lieut 
Moors son at two shillings made in all 46/6 my account with the Intrest 
amounted to 13-13-7 when 3-6-6 was subtracted left 10-7-1 and on the 8th 
I took his note on Demand for 10-7-0 with Intrest my expences at Halls 
was two bowles of tody for which and for }^ a bowle I owed him since I 
went to Run lines for W" Gumble and John Duston three years ago I paid 
him 1/4 and /6 over that he could not give me the change 

8* I went to Col : Goft'es and he signed A caption on some depositions 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 501 

him and I took for Esqr Underwood the 23d of jtine 1774 and I took the 
acknowledgment of a Deed he gave Ensign Benj" Vickere 

gth I -^yri^ ^ Deed from Col : Moor to his brother Deacon Moor and a let- 
ter to Joshua Henshaw of Boston at his desire of the Quantity and the 
Value of his land in Bedford 

ll'h I set out to bring Rie from McGaws place in Goffestown with 
Frenches Slea and lodged at John Craigs 

12*1^ I went to McGaws place and got 8 bushels of Rie and I got it 
^ound at Dows and I had the toal 

14th I -writ my deposition for Sam'' Kennedy concerning a eompt and 
Wart I signed for him against Capt Richards in the year 1777 and I went 
to Esqr McGregores and swore to it And I went to David Rowells and I 
got 11 yi of pickled fish and a pair of Ox bows from him the bows was 1/6 
the fish we did not agree on the price Kennedy gave me a Dollar for my 
ser-sdce 

15'^ I got my Brors old Mare and I went to Hollis at David Wrights of 
Hollis to Settle old Mrs Cumiugs Adminr Acct on her late husbands 
Estate and I lodged at R : Cutts Shannons And the boys (Viz) james and 
Alex' got Frenches horse and with our Mare went to Lieut Moses Barrens 
and got three barrels of Cydar toward my services about his fathers 
Estate 

16'^ Mr Shannon and I settled Mrs Cumiugs Acct And we Granted 
Adminr of W'" Nevins Estate to his son Joseph with consent of the widow 
and gave Benj" Colbiu-n a Wart of Apprizement of his fathers Estate and 
lodged at JNir Shannon 

17th -yyg settled Tabitha Fletchers Adinr acct on her husbands Estate for 
which she paid two dollars with drawing the acct which was all the fees 
we took and I got both dollars and he takes the Rest of what fees we 
earned and I am to take the fees of makeing the proportion among the 
Creditors of Capt John Parkers Estate which I am to do at home my 
horse keeping at Capt Atwells was 3/ and I came to Mr Ellsworths and 
lodged there 

18*h I got 3 £ of Tea and 2 Do Snuff" and 7 Do of Shugar a dozen of 
Bisquet at Albrees come to 18/8 and I paid them 12/ of it and I owe them 
6/8 of it yet my Expences at Ellsworths was 1/4 which I paid and I came 
home about 1 or 2 o Clock 



ON the loth the boys as they were comeing home witli rlie Cydar got 2 
bushels of Indian meal and a bushel of Rie meal from Deacon Smith on 
Credit 



19"' I went to McGaws and McQuestons and Dickeys place for Rie but 
McQueston had put it all off" and I got none and came to job Dows and I 
paid his wife 2/10% for the toal of the llj^ bushels of Rie I had ground 
there this winter that I had from said place oft" McGaw 

2pt and 22"* I made the proportion of Capt John Parkers Estate among 
his creditors and the order for payment 

2'M The wind v^ry high and very cold did not do any work abroad 



502 MATTHEW patten's DIARY, 

25''' I went to McGaws aucl Settled james Gillmors and John McConihes 
administration acct of John Gillmors Estate for which I charged 9/ and 
I drawed the Acct for which I charged 6/ 1 and I settled with them for all 
the Probate fees from the first which came to 41/ and I hot a Coat and 
jacot att 35/ so that there was dne to me a dollar and they paid me 2/8 of 
it and gave me a note for 3/4 And I paid McGaw 3/5 that I owed him for 
V/z bushel of Oats and Yz a bowle of W : I : Tody I had the 11th of last 
janry and I hot 15 % pound of Iron from him on Credit came to 6/5 

26tu I y^QYit to Adam Dickeys and got six bushels of Rie by a Verbal 
measiiage on McGaws Acct and I got a bushel from old james Mathes for 
a Gallon of Rum he had from me three years ago last summer and took 
the Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and I left 4^2 bushels and brot 2yi home 
to pay W'" Moor the 2% I got of spring Rie I borrowed from him for sow- 
ing of spring Rie 

28'** I took four thighs two jaws of pork and a Round of Beaf to John 
Moors to be Bacon, d in his Chimney and took 2>^ bushels of the Rie that I 
got at Adam Dickeys the 26th to Sam'* Moors and left it there for "William 
Moor to pay for 214 bushels of Spring Rie I got off him for so^vlng this 
winter according to our agreement 

29''* I went to Col : Goffes and got him to sign four advertisements for 
the Sale of the Southerly half of the Gore and two supplications for a 
proprs meeting and I came to Chandlers and got him to sign the supplica- 
tions and I set up one of each and I paid Chandler nine pence for a quart 
of Rum I had from his wife the 28th of last Febr and for yi a bowle of 
tody today in the whole 1/1 

30"* A very heavey storm of snow and hail from the N : East held all 
day and all the Evening it fell 8 or 10 inches deep with considerable of 
wet among it 

3P' I new drawed my acct against the proprs of Narragansett township 
No five 

APRIL FIRST 

OUT james workt the Greatest part of the day and the Oxen the after- 
noon for james Houston and got three jags of wood and he made a Crank 
for my Grindston of my iron I blowed for him and struck some and John 
Patten struck the bigest post 

2<i I went to McGaws and set up the advertisement for a proprietors 
meeting of Sowhegan East and another for the sale of the Southerly half 
of the Gore I had no other business and I had % a- bowle of W : I : tody 
for which I paid l/4>^ 

3'* was a Snow Storm from the Northeast 

4'*' I held a Court Thomas Colburn Plant and Joshua Maxfield Deft I 
gave judgement in the Plant favor and the Deft appealed Colbiirn paid 
me 3 /9 for the tryal and Maxfield paid me 2/ for the appeal and I had a 
bowle of W : I : tody at Chandlers (where I tryed the case) for which I 
paid /lO 

5'** I attended at Chandlers and drawed james Voses Guardianship Acct 
of Stephen "Wood and they settled and Vose fell 22-18-9 and Vose let him 



MATTHEW TATTEN'vS DIARY. 503 

have his horse at 12-0-0 and a Note from the town for Idyi bushels of corn 
at yz a dollar pr bushel amounted 11-18-0 which over him 20/ and Vose 
gave it to him and Stephen Gave him a full discharge my fees for my Ser- 
vice was 15/ which Vose promised to pay me And I made out a Bond of 
Guardianship to janies Moor of Goflfestown for two of his Daughters it 
was dated the first of last March by Reason of want of opertunity to com- 
pleat the wTitings then the fees is 7/6 which he promised to pay me 

(jth Was the annual march Meeting by Adjournment and Chandler one 
of the Selectmen got me to go to it to swear the town officers and I went 
and Swore twenty five of them 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM APRIL 6th 1785 

7th ]yfy mare Avent to my Brothers and some of his Cattle hooked her in 
by the flank and their horn went into her belly and before she was taken 
notice of there was the bulk of half a peck of her Gutes out at the hole 
we put them in again and sowed up the skin and I led her home and put 
her in the barn but she would not eat any and died toward morning the 
night following And Chandler had my Double Slea to McGaws and I sent 
a pistereen with him and he brot me a Quire of paper for it 

8"^ we skin,d the mare in the morning and sent the skin up to Frenches 
The wind at N : E : and in the afternoon and Evening it snowed fast but 
melted ninch as it fell 

12"' I spent half the day a framing articles between josiah Gordon and 
James Grear and our jamcs concerning their makeing Brick on Gordons 
land and Sam^' Willey of Peterborough paid me two Dollars he owed me 
for Granting administration to him on his fathers Estate the 3d of last 
November 

14th WAS THE GENERAL FAST THROUGH THE STATE 

15"* I drawed the leases between josiah Gordon and james Grear and 
my james concerning the privilege of makeing Brick on Gordons land 

19"* was a proprietors meeting of this town at Chandler and was to a 
vended the south half of the Gore but it was a snow storm from the 
N : E : and Col : Goffe could not come and we adjourned the meeting and 
Vendued to the first Monday of May next at two of the clock afternoon to 
Chandlers 

21^' I went to McGaws and got a pound of Snuff and two Gimblets and 
a pound and half of Chalk and 3^ a bowle of W : I : Tody for which I 
paid 4/7 1 had my brors old Mare to Ride on there 

22'^ John Patten and josepli drawed the logs they had at their Mill place 
in Ca])t Walkers field and I went down to them and got them to bring up 
what board I had there up as far as their house I thing there is 32 boards 
and one plank in number 

23'! I got Frenches horse and went to John Moors and brot the meat I 
took there to smoak the 28th of last March it all weighed 80 £ bones and 
all 

29"' we began to plow the first this spring and my wife bot from a ped- 
ler some articles that came to 2/S% for which I paid the money 

30"' we plowed and we had my brothers boy to drive our Oxen and 



504 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

Alex^ workt for jona Rand to frame at the house he was building for 
Fugard 

MAY 2d 

Alex'' and I plowed in the forenoon and Alex' plowed in the afternoon 
and my Brors boy drove the Oxen for him And in the Afternoon I drawed 
a Warrant for Thomas Cochran of Newboston to divide his fathers Estate 
for which he paid me 3/ and then I went the Chandlers to proprs meeting 
of this town which we adjourned untill the last Tuesday of October next 
and Colo Goffe and I adjourned the Vendue of the Gore to the same time 
And I Reed the Will of one Elijah Rice by the Executor Lieut Samuel 
Wadsworth and one of the Witnesses viz Ezek^ Smith made oath to the 
proof of it and I took Wadsworths and Smiths note for the fees and had 
% a bowle of W : I : Tody I did not settle with Chandler for it And I 
Reed two thousand of Shingle nails from james Vose on Amos Gardners 
account that Gardner owed me and Yose owed them to Gardner and paid 
them to me by agreement 

5"» I sowed \% bushel of Rie in the afternoon toward night and james 
mended fence from the brook to the pound and the afternoon between and 
the meadow and Alex' harrowed 

6'^^ I sowed 2 bushels of Rie all but about 3 quarts in the morning which 
finished the north field and then I went and Run the lines of that part of 
the lott Jonathan Rand had from Fugard for Rand which he is to pay me 
for all but 4 pence which I owed him since he paid me for the acknowl- 
edgment of the deed from Fugard to him And I gave jese Cristy junr of 
Newboston a Citation to Capt Aiken of Bearing to settle a guardianship 
acct of Cristys wife next Tuesday at Amherst for which he paid me a 
ShilHng 

gth X went to Capt Whitings to see him about his doing the survey in 
the dispute between james Smith and me And I bot two pound of shugar 
at McGaws for which I paid a pistereen and Alex' went to Rob' Mathies* 
and got Sixty Apple trees from him for me 

10"' I went to Amherst to the Superior Court and got my case with 
Smith continued and I lodged at Ellsworths I was detained by reason of 
agreeing on chainmen to measure on a survey which I was appointed to 
do in a dispute between the town of Weare and John Dinsmore 

11th I -\yag Qualified as a justice of the Coram by judges Farrar and 
Page and I came home I had my brothers old Mare to Ride over my 
Expences was 7/4 at Ellsworths and Love joys yesterday james Houston 
set the four shoes on uiy brothers mare for me 

12"* I writ a letter to Rob* Young of Pelham concerning his Reflferance 
with David Sessions 

IS''* Joseph Patten with their three pair of Oxen helped us draw in our 
logs on the ways at Golf es Mill there was Eleven in Number and then we 
helped him to draw 1 169 feet of boards to the River and 8 or 900 up into 
their field 

14th y^Q began to plow between and the meadow 

\&^ we plowed part of the forenoon and I went to Esqr McGregores for 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 505 

James Cairus and took the acknowledgment of a Deed for him from Reu- 
"ben Smith and I writ a power of attorney from Smith to W" Beard and 
took the acknowk^dgnient of it and I drawed an acct for Smith ajjainst 
Zadock Reed and swore him to it and certified it I asked Cairns no pay 
and Smith did not ask me what I cliarged liim nor I did not tell him 

18*1^ I went to Majr Goffes sons Saw mill and Sticked up about two 
thousand feet of boards they sawed of our logs 

19*'* we plowed some for potatoes and got out some Dung for i)lanting 
them 

20"* we harrowed the flax groxind and plowed a little by Frenches and I 
took the acknowledgment of two deeds one for James Martin and the 
other for W" Parker they were both from David Moor 

2P* we plowed by Frenches the forenoon and the afternoon we sowed 
about 6 quarts of flax seed and about as much Early and near half bushel 
of Peas where we plowed yesterday and to day by Frenches 

23'' was Rainy all day and I set five hoops on our Soap barrel and james 
and Alex'' went a fishing to the ponds and catched 63 pickerel pearch and 
pouts 

24th -yyg plowed our flax ground over a second time 

25*'* we had my brothers old brown Ox and yoked our well ox with him 
and jos steers and the big steers we have had of my brors and plowed all 
day we plowed an acre or more 

26"* we had the same team of my brothers to day that we had yesterday 
and John McLaughlin came with his foiir Oxen and helped us and we 
finished plowing between and the meadow and harrowed the toughest of 
it over 

27*"* we had the same team of my brothers and we had Frenchs pair 
more than half the day and made two teams with Frenches plow and 
plowed till night we finished the field all but about twelve or fourteen 
Rows 

28*'* we finished plowing by Frenchs and then furrowed it and sowed 
about 22 quarts of flax seed at home 

30*'* I had my brothers old mare a)id Alex'' and furrowed the ground at 
home the forenoon and Joseph Patten lielped us and we finished planting 
all our corn but a little and potatoes 

31^* David and I plowed some to compleate for planting corn And Alex' 
cut some Rail cuts of white pine and james helped Joseph Patten the fore- 
noon to mend fence 

JUNE 1st 

I went with Mr Habijah Savage of Boston to show him his land in Sow- 
hegan East I showed him No 48 a meadow lott and the North half of No 
15 Third division and No 8 in the 4th Rang second division a very fateag- 
ing days work I charged him two dollars and he paid me the money and 
I had to lodge at Deacon Gages it was I suppose Eleven o Clock at night 
when we broke up 

2<i I got two bushels of Salt from Lieut Orr as I came home in the 
morning for which I paid him 13/4 and I went to the falls in the afternoon 



506 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

and I got 4 Shad and Alex' got 61 and Rob* got 16 I had a glass of Gin and 
a mug of tody at Esqr McGregore on credit 

d^ I went to Esq'' McGregores and got a pair of Oxen and Cart and 
brot all our fisli and 31 shad of Joseph Pattens to Piscataquog and Alex' 
met me there with a pair of my brors oxen and Cart and brot them home 
and I had half a mug of tody at Esq' McGregores on credit 

4"^ James and worktat makeinga Cannoo for our selves and james Hous- 
ton paid me 50 nails that he borrowed from me to make his son Davids 
Coffin 

6"^ james and I workt at the Canoo 

1^^ I went to the falls toward the middle of the day and I fished at the 
upper seting place and I got a salmon of 9 £ and I sold it for }4 a dollar 
and I changed 9 shad for },2 a bushel of salt and I sold two shad for /8 
and I had 3 shad left and Alex' got 6 shad on the Island and I fished Eells 
the night following and got 49 three of which I gave to Eliph* Emery and 
Mr Wyman and on the 8th I got 5 shad and 9 £ of salmon one shad I gave 
to Smith the Breeches maker for a mug of Cydar and Alex' got 4 shad 
and a 20 £ salmon on the island and I gave Robert Mathes two shad and 
james finished the Cannoo and brot her up in the forenoon and I came 
home and brot 15 shad 47 Eells and Alex' salmon and mine to Majr 
Golfes field in the Cannoo james and Alex' stayed at the falls 

9**^ it came on Rain in the night before and Rained all day very hard 
and james and Alex' came home but got nothing and I spent the day with 
james Vose Examining his Constable accts and just before night awhile 
on Stephen Wood and Voses affairs 

lOth I went with John Pattens mare to Goffestown and got Shed to sett 
the shoes on her forefeet and I got a bushel of Rie from Alex' Gilcrest 
for 30 Eels his son Rob' got from me the 18th of last June 

ll'i^ I went to Deacon Smiths mill with the bushel of Rie I got from 
Gilcrist yesterday and my brothers wife lent me }4 ^ bushel of Indian 
corn I took two bushel of Indian corn for them and got it all ground I had 
Johns mare to mill 

13"* I got two bushels of corn from Rob' Alexander for which he would 
take but a dollar for it and I had John Pattens mare and I took 1}4 bushel 
of corn for my brothers folks and got theirs and my two bushels ground 
at Deacon Smiths mill and we backed up a piece of ground west of the 
Garden and planted it with yellow beans and I went to the falls 

14th 15th and 16"* I fished and in these three days I let Alex' Gilchrists 
John have 40 Eells and John Craigs Joseph have as many and I let William 
Dunlap of Heniker have 30 Eells The boys (viz) james and Alex' fished 
allso and they put oft" Eels but I dont know how many 

17"^ I got 35 £ of Salmon and 20 Eells the night following I got 20 Eells 
and I let Mrs Kitridge have 20 Eels which paid all the liquor the boys and 
I have have had at Esqr McGregores this fish time with what Eels we let 
her have before and six Eels over I owe 2 mugs of Cyder at Oliver 
Emersons 

18"' we all come home and brot home 40 Eels and the 35 £ of salmon I 
got yesterday and I gave my brother one salmon of 10 £ weight 



MATTHEW patten's DIAP.Y. 507 

aOt** James and Alex' and I went and helped my brother to hoe at his 
corn 

2P' we finished weeding my brors corn before noon and I had my brors 
mare to plow and boy to lead and my bror and Joseph came and began to 
hoe at our corn 

22<i my bror and Joseph and their boy helped us and a horse to plow and 
we finished the corn at home and part of the potatoes 

SS'' my bror and Joseph and their boy and their horse helped ns and we 
hoed the corn by Frenches 

24"^ James and Alex' workt at Piscataquog Bridge and I mended the 
fence by Frenches and then I went to janies Gormans to see to have him 
get me a barrel of Rum and five thousand of Board nails toward what he 
owes me 

25'^ James and Alex' and I workt at Piscataquog Bridge 

27'^ James and Alex' workt at Piscataquog Bridge 

28"^ I went to Amoskeig and took off our Stag and brot home the bolt 
and I got a Salmon that weighed 17}.<£ and I had % a bowle of W: I: 
tody at Esqr McGregores which I had paid in Eells the 18th Instant when 
I paid our Expences there I paid six Eels over 

30"> I had Martins four Oxen and my brors Cart and janies and 
Alex' went to McGregores and brot to the barn fram 2800 long shingles 
that I got off David Pudney and I went to Run lines for William Patter- 
son and David Richards biit my Compass got out of order and I could not 
And I had a bowle of W: I: tody at McGregores the one of it was paid in 
Eells the 18th Instant the other half I owe 

JULY 1st 

I went and Run lines for William Patterson and DafVid Richards and I 
lodged at Pattersons over night 

2^ I Run lines for Richard Colbey for which he paid me a DoUar And 
we butchered our black Cows Calf it weighed 49 £ of Veal 

4"' I got two pound of Shugar from W"^ Parker with a pound I got from 
his wife in June paid for the acknowledgment of a deed from David Moor 
to him and one to james Martin juur and I went and Run the west side of 
David Richards land I lodged there 

5"' I went to Daniel Martins and laid oft" 50 Acres of the South side of 
his land that he sold to Docter Duston and I Run the North side line of 
John Doltons land for vsrich David Martin paid me a dollar and David 
Richards paid me >^ a dollar for what I did for him at Runing the lines 
of his place 

6"^ was a great Rain the fore part of the day and last night 

7"' I had my brothers old Mare and went to Amherst to try to get Nails 
to do our Barn but could not get any for I could not get any money from 
them that owed me And I paid Mr Albree 6/8 that I owed him since the 
18th of last March and I Renewed my Execution against W"' Newman 
for which I paid 1/4 and I paid my Expences at Ellsworths being 1/10 and 
I paid five pence I owed at Capt Lovejoj's and four pence toward >^ a 
bowle of tody and Alex' began to hiould the corn 



508 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

8"^ we hoed at the corn and Joseph Patten helped ns the Afternoon 

9*'> Joseph Patten and Levi Whitman helped us hoe 

11"^ Robert came home yesterday and hoed with us today and we 
finished the corn I have had my brothers boy and a horse to plow all the 
time we have been a hoeing 

12'^ James hauled his Barn off Stinsous laud and Rob' Alex"" and I went 
up we had my brothers old mare and Simeon Chubbucks horse and we 
took up all our chains and a Draft chain of my brothers and the Rum and 
we filled at the barn untill the people and Oxen come we got it to where 
he ment to take it and had it leveled by an hour of up sun and we all 
dispersed about sun set and Rob' and Alex"" and I came home 

18"' Alex"^ helped Simion Chubbuck to Mow most of the afternoon 
which I suppose will pay for his horse we had yesterday and I finished 
hoeing the potatoes 

14"' Alex'' mowed for his uncle the afternoon and I hoed at the Beans 
north of the Garden 

15'^ Alex'' mowed for his Uncle and I finished hoeing the beans 

16"' Alex' mowed for his Uncle and I went to Litchfield and had my 
Brothers old Mare and I took Widow Parker the proportion she has to pay 
the Creditors to her late hitsbauds Estate the fees was two dollars she said 
she could not pay it and I got a bushel of Rie from Gersham Harvil at 5/ 
but I could not pay him for it I paid four pence at Reeds for my ferriage 
And I got 12 £ of Small sort Deck nails from William Parker at five pence 
pr £ to be paid in work they were at Majr McQuestons and I got them 
there 
■ 18"* Alex"^ mowed for james Houston and I suned the bushel of Rie 
I had from Gersham Harvil on the 16th it shrinked two Quarts in about 
an hour and little^nore suning and I took it to Sam^^ Moors mill and had 
it ground I helped him to pick the Bed Stone and lay the Runer down 

19"' I went to the Hill to see if could Swap an Ox with Sam^i Webster 
but he had not determined to put him off and I went to james place and he 
and I got three Rake handles and two Scoop net bows and I brot them 
home on my shoulder 

20"' Alex'' mowed the baulk in the field by Frenches and the Run in the 
back field 

2P' Alex' mowed for his Uncle the forenoon and the Afternoon he went 
to the Raising of Colo: Kelly s Saw mill 

22^ Alex' mowed for his Uncle to the middle of the Afternoon when 
there came on a shower as heavy an one as perhaps I ever see with an 
Extraordinary wind it broke one of our Appletrees off in the middle of the 
body Razed the Roots of an other broke the main tope branch off another 
and Drove over Rail fence and board fence I think it might be called 
something of an hurricane there was considerable of hail with it And in 
about an hour after it was over there came on another very great shower 
but the wind not higher than is common in such Showers a great deal of 
thunder with both showers and a great Quantity of Rain fell in each it 
laid the corn generally down and the Rie and broke many corn stalks 
entirelly off at the lott by Frenches it bio wed many treas out of ground 



MATTHEW PATTEK'S DIAKY. 509 

and broke many off many thriveing white oakes torn np by the Roots 
a pine that was crotched each part 18 or 20 inches diameter both broke 
entirely off about 20 feet high O Lord who can conceive of thy Almighty 
power and yet thon walkest on the wings of the wind in the most calmest 
manner even when that Airy substance is agitated in the fiercest motion 
we mortals ever beholds yet all we can conceive is Infinitely short of thee 
Give us Exalted thoughts of the and humble and abaseiug thoughts of our 
selves 

23^ a clear good hay day the wind at N: W: we got in what hay we had 
in the Run and back about half a load and "We all helped my brors to 
Rake up what hay they had down in the afternoon 

25*'* we butchered our brindled Cows calf it weighed 44 £ of Veal and 
we took the skin and the skin of the Calf we killed the 2d Instant to 
Frenches to Tan and a small Squashbellys Skin And we had my brothers 
old mare and began in the afternoon to plow among the Corn by Frenches 
for hilling Alex"' led her 

26'^ we had my brothers old mare and had Fi-enches son Stephen to lead 
her about half the forenoon and finished plowing the corn by Frenches 
and the afternoon our David helped us hoe 

27*** it Rain,d some little and I went to Goffes ferry and Reed a Barrel 
of Rum of 32 Gallon from james Gorman toward what he owes me on his 
note and james Walker brot it to Chandlers for me and I had a bowle of 
N: E: tody at Chandlers on credit to treat for bringing it And I got ly^ £ 
of Tea from W™ Parker for which I paid him a dollar the money was our 
james David got it from Alex'' Gregg for him toward a side of Upper 
leather he had of our james some years ago 

25th \ye finished hilling the corn by Frenches 

29'*> Alex'' began to hill the corn at home and I went to Esq McGregores 
to see about swaping my near Ox with him but did not come to any 
conclusion 

30"' Alex'' and I hill,d at the corn and in the evening Alex^ got a quart 
of Rum from Chandler on credit 

AUGUST 1st 

John Cuningham helped us hill the corn for my writing the lease 
between him and John Butterfield of Deacon Littles place spring was a 
year and we finished hilling the corn & we borrowed a quart of Rum from 
W" Parker and got two pound of Shugar from Parker on credit 

2^* I went and see james and Robert at their places and got 4 Rake 
handles and Alex' began to Reap at the winter Rie he Reaped 2 stocks 
and 7 sheaves 

3"^ Alex' and I Reaped 5 stooks and one sheaf And I went to james 
Germans and I got Eight Gallon of Rum from him toward what he owes 
me on his note at two shillings pr (Jallon 

4"' Gorman brot the Rum I got from him yesterday to Capt Sam" Moors 
and Alex' met him there with my brors mare and brot the Rum home 
And we finished Reaping Our Winter Rie we have 14 stooks and 7 sheaves 

5"* Alex' got in the Rie and thrashed three Stooks of it and 1 cleaned 



510 MATTHEW patten's DIAUY. 

it there was 3}4 bushels of it and about 4 Quarts of it And I took 1}4 
bushel and the odd quarts to Sam" Moors mill and had it ground and 
I paid William Parker a quart of Rum Alex' borrowed from him the 1st 
Instant and I paid Chandler a quart Alex' borrowed of him the 30th of 
last month and I lent Joseph Patten a gallon of Rum yesterday and 
another Gallon today 

6"^ was a Very considerable Rain 

8^^ Alex' went to the little meadow to mow being the first we mowed 
there this Season and I worked at makeing a Spear and axle tree for the 
long body 

9"i I workt at the Spear and Axltree and Alex' workt at the meadow 
and Swore Phineas Aiken to his bringing a barrel of Rum from Amsbury 
into this State no fees pd 

lO*'' I Run the lines of the lott No 47 in Goffestown for Colo Kelley 
which paid him for his service of the writ that I sued Deacon Moor and 
his sons about the meadow several years ago And Alex' workt at the 
meadow and Robert come from his place and workt with him and jean 
and Sarah workt at shakeing out the hay and Raking 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 10th 1785 

11"* Rob' and Alex' and the girls workt at the meadow 

12*'' and 13"> the two boys and Girls work at the meadow and I made a 
spear and Axle tree for the long body,d Cart 

ISth I went and brot home a load of hay from the meadow being the 
first and james Rob* and Alex' and the Girls workt at the meadow 

16"' Joseph Patten brot two load of hay for me and and I brot two and 
james Rob' and Alex' and John Alexander workt with, us for a day our 
Alex' Reaped for them last week 

17"' Joseph Patten brot two load of hay and Rob' Alexander brot one 
and I brot one and we finished mowing the forenoon 

IS"* Joseph Patten brot two load and Rob' Alexander brot one and I 
brot one 

19"' we got the last of the hay into Cock 

20"' johil Alexander brot two load of hay and I brot one which finished 

23<^ I set out to do the survey in the dispute between John Dinsmoor and 
Nath^i Wead at Weare and I lodged at Lieut Halls in Weare and Patrick 
Fling Reaped Rie for me 

23*1 Tho^ Lancey Reaped for me half of the day which finished we have 
Stocks of spring Rie And I began to measiu-e At Weare N: E: corner 
and measured westward 3 miles and 47 Rods to Hopkinton S: W: Corner 
■which is a white burch I lodged at Colo Pages in Weare 

24"' Measm-ed to weare N: W: corner 6 miles and 271 Rods from where 
we began at the N: E: corner and measured 1% mile on the west side line 
of Weare lodged at one Mr Browns^ 

25"' measiu-ed on to Bond Littles and Run no more this day by Reason 
of a Shower and lodged at Nath" Weeds 

26"' went on to Francestown line 5 miles and 209 Rods from the N: W: 
corner and then on to Weare S: W: 6 miles and 268 Rods from the N: W: 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 511 

corner then went on the south side line 244 Rods from thence Southerly 
183 Rods to Newboston N: W: corner on old hailtown old line line then 
from Weare line we went to Newboston said corner northerly 174 Rods to 
the N: E: corner of the land in dispute which finished the nieasureing on 
the Survey lodged at Mr Weeds 

27*'* I settled for my lines that I have been on the Survey which is six 
days for which John Dinsmoor gave me his note for 3 : 12-0 and I came 
home my Exijences on the Road was six pence 

29*'' Alex' workt at the brick and I workt half the day at the brick 
and James workt for me with Rob* Alexander a makeing fence at the 
meadow 

30*'* Alex' Workt at the brick and I went to David Pudney at Monter- 
loney to borrow a barrel of Rum from him to use at makeing brick and 
John McLaughlin found me a horse to Ride and james workt for me with 
with Mr Alexander at the fence 

31*** Alex'' and I workt at the brick and jas workt with Mr Alex' at the 
fence for me 

SEPTEMBER 1st 

james Alex' and me workt at the brick 

2^ Rainy and dull weather 

3^ Alex' and I workt at the brick the afternoon 

5th gih 7th gth gth and 10*'* james Alex' and me workt at the brick 

12*'* james and Alex' workt at the brick and jean and Sarah and I Cut 
at the Stalks and Joseph Patten cut with us the afternoon and Zebediah 
Rowal almost half the afternoon 

13*'* james and Alex' workt at the brick the forenoon jean sarah and 1 
cut at the Stalks and the afternoon I makt at the brick and the two Girls 
finished cuting Stalks 

14*'* james workt at the brick and Alex' the forenoon he was out of Case 
the afternoon and I workt at the brick the Afternoon 

15*'* james workt at the brick and Alex' the afternoon and I tied Stalks 

16*'* james workt at the brick and Alexander the forenoon and I hooked 
peas and bound Stalks 

17*'* james workt at the brick and Alex' the afternoon and I finished 
binding Stocking the Stalks 

19*'* Alex' workt at the brick the afternoon and james and I made a 
Hog pen the forenoon and and the forenoon Alex' thrashed 23^ Stooks of 
Spring Rie And I got j^ £ of Snuff from William Parker on Credit 

20"* james and Alex' workt at the brick and I went to Sam" Moors mill 
with the two bushels of Rie that Alex' thrashed yesterday and had it 
ground and jean and I went and carried our peas into Frenches Barn 

2P* Rained and dull cloudy weather 

22^^ Was held as A fast in Bedford preparitory for administering the 
Sacrament next Sabathday 

23'' james Alex' and I workt at the brick 

24*'* was likely for Rain and Alex' went to the meadow to cover the 
brick we Struck yesterday but Joseph Bell and Rob' Lincoln had just got 
them done as he got there 



512 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

26''* I went to Hollis to try get Capt Whiting to do the Survey in my 
case with james Smith but he could not come before the court and I 
lodged at Esqr Worcesters without cost 

27"' I Returned home yesterday and today Alex'' thrashed our Peas at 
Frenches barn 

2S"' Alex'" and I workt at the brick 

29'*» Alex'' and I workt at the brick and I had Jonathan Bailey helping 
me at the brick 

SO"* Alex'' and I workt at seting the brick and I had Rob* Alex'' junr 
helping me and Mr Alexander gave me a barrel of Cydar and David brot 
it home and he helped us set brick near half the day 

OCTOBER FIRST 

Alex'f and I workt and the brick and we got them set Ready to begin to 
burn 

S"! Alex'' and I workt the brick Killn burning and geting wood and 
Alex'^ sit up all night helping to tend the Killn 

4th Alex'^ helped to tend the Killn till near night And I went to Am- 
herst to Return the plan of Dinsmoor and Weeds dispute Dinsmoor be- 
came Nonsuit and Lieut Dinsmoor his father gave me his note for my 
service in doing the Survey in the Room of his sons note I had taken for 
it before with three Dollar more for the plan and going to Amherst to 
make Return And I got my case with Lieut Smith continued with consid- 
erable worry and I came home my expences at Ellsworths was a Shilling 
which Esqr Worster promised to pay for me 

5*"^ Patrick Fhug workt for me ageting wood for the brick Killn and 
Alex"" workt at it too and I thrashed two Stooks of Rie and our jean and 
Sarah took up our flax and Jos: Patten got wyths and bound it and 
Carted it to our Barn with their team 

(jth Alex'" tended the brick Killn and I cleaned up what Rie I thrashed 
yesterday and with what was out before made two bushels and about five 
Quarts and I went to Deacon Smiths mill and got it ground 

7'** Alex' tended the brick killn and I pulled some beans 

S^^ Alex' tended at the brick Killn and Patrick Fling cut wood for the 
Killn for me 

lO"* james ciit wood for the Killn and Alex' tended it and I pulled at 
the beans and got what was pulled into the barn 

11*^ Alex' and I workt at the County bridge and james tended at the 
brick killn 

12'^ they finished burning the brick since the Killn was set aburning 
accounting a night equal to a day I have done 21)0 days it was set afire 
the 3d Instant and Bell l"}., days of a man and 4 days of one pair of Oxen 
and McLaughlin 14 days and 5)4 days of a pair of Oxen and Lieut Smith 
6}4 days and 2 days of a pair of Oxen and Mr Ezek' Lincoln helped us 
at setting and burning equal to 8H days 

13"' I got a quarter of a pound of Snuff from W" Parkers wife for 
which I paid nine pence and I pulled some beans and Alex' thrashed some 
beans and james began to dig Potatoes 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 518 

14''' janies aud the Girls diged potatoes and I finished pnlHng beans 
between and the barn 

15"i we buried 63 bushels of potatoes in a hole and diged a few and put 
into the Cellar 

17"^ we cleaned up 6 bushels of beans aud winowed oxir peas clean we 
have 5% of a bushel of them 

18''* we diged more potatoes and put into the Cellar which made up in 
all about 26 or 27 bushels in the whole that we put into the Cellar 

19"* we diged more potatoes and put into the Cart to put into Frenches 
Cellar and I cleaned up 2 bushels and about 12 quarts of beans 

20"* we finished diging potatoes I suppose we have about 30 bushels to 
go into Frenches Cellar Aud I let Thomas Boies have 901 feet of Boards at 
Goffes saw mill toward loOO feet my james borrowed from him at Riddels 
mill two or three years ago and we thrashed out the last of our beans 

On the 17th we butchered our heifer she weighd 298 £ of beaf and 53 £ 
of hide and And on the Uth I attended at Chandlers in the Evening and 
took the acknowledgement of two deeds the one from Tho' Laucey to John 
Patten and the other from Daniel Blodget to Tho'* Lancey and Blodget 
paid me a Shilling for one acknowledgement and the other was for John 
Patten to pay 

21«t A Rainy day 

22<i A Rainy day Alex'' and I hunted to find oxu- Canoe but found it went 
off last night the River Riseing very fast 

23'' Sabathday the River very high and Riseing very fast aud james and 
Alex' workt at Piscataquog Bridge to secure it from going off with a num- 
ber of the neighbours and Oxen 

24"* the River at the height about ten of the clock the highest flood ever 
known and james and Alex*' with a number of the neighbours workt at 
Saveing the timber of the bridge which went off some time last night after 
Eleven oclock at which time our james came away from the Bridge which 
had not floated when he left it 

26"* we began to cut up and get in the first of our corn out of the field 
by Frenches 

27"* we were geting in corn and John and josepli Patten helped us husk 
in the Evening 

28"* we got the last of our corn that growed by Frenches and all my 
Brothers famely Except himself helped us husk and we finished husking 
what growed by Frenches we have 30 bushels of it 

29"* we got the corn into the house and brot the Stalks and pumpldns 
home from tlierc 

3l8t J gof 1^ Gallon of Rum from Cliandler on John Riddels Acct except 
% pint and I got Jo a gallon of Mollasses from Riddel himself toward what 
Service I did for him about the lott of land he got from Hannah Vickere 
and Alex*" went with tlu; Oxen and Cart to William McAllestcrs aud brot 
a barrel of Rum from there to Chandlers for Chandler and I got a £ of 
Shugar from Wm Parkers wife for which I paid i.< a pistereen and our 
Betsey had some help to Quilt at a petticoat 
33 



)14 matthp:w patten's diakv 



NOVEMBER 1st 



I went to Capt Timothy Eatous farm in Goffestown to Rim lines and 
Measure land for him and james and Alex' began to Gathar corn at home 

2<i 3<i 4tii and 5"' I was on Capt Batons business and Settled with him for 
What I did now and for two days I was there last faul and for a plan I 
am to make of his farm came to 42/ and I took his note for it and came 
home and they had got in all the corn and had it hiiskt we have 40 bushels 
of what gi-owed at home 

7th J went to John Morrisons in the Double Rang in Londonderry on a 
Rule of Court Between Rob' Young and David Sessions they agreed them- 
selves and ^ve Reported accordingly I charged three dollars for all my 
trouble and Young paid me ly^ dollar and I took Sessions gave me his note 
for the other 1% dollar my Expences was 1/4 

S"' I came home and I bot % £ o^ Snuff at Jas Pinkertons for which I 
paid 1/6 

11"' james Alex'' and I with the other partners began to open tlie brick 
kiln and heak by the brick 

12"' james and I workt at heakiiig by the brick and Patrick Fling 
worked for me at the brick 

13*'' james worked at heaking the brick and I went to Goffestown and 
Run lines for Mr Wells the blacksmith and lodged at Mr Rogers 

15*'' I Run lines for Mr Wells about % of the day I charged lO/l! for yes- 
terday and today which Mr Wells promised to pay me 

16*'' I got a (xallon of Mollasses from William Allester and I swore him 
to his bringing 62 Gallon of Rum into this State which paid a sliilliug of 
it and I made out a certificate for him last month paid another shilling of 
it that paid it all but eight pence and I got a side of upper leather from 
French 

17*'' I signed a Writ for jane McCartney of Londonderry against Moses 
Gerrish the fees unpaid and I gave james Martin junr of 171 Gallon of 
Rum into this State I gave it to him 

18*'' I went to Deacon Smiths mill with two bushels of Indian corn and 
a bushel of Rie and had it ground I took it on Mr Underwoods colt 

19*'' I went to Piscataquog bridge with the boys dinner and I staid till 
uight and I gave Majr Goffe au order on W'" Bixby for 22/ which paid 
my note I gave him on job Holbrooks acct and I got up my note and Grigs 
Goffe mended some at my old shoes but did not tell how much he charged 

21^* I went to Derryfield and Run lines for to find the north line of the 
town and lodged at Lt Halls 

22'' on the same business and I (;ame home in the Evening the Com- 
mitee that employed me were Lieut Hall Lieut Sam" Stark and John Goffe 
junr 

23'' I w^as much out of Case and lay abed all day and had the Rose in my 
Right leg I got a considerable sweat the Comt for puting up Piscataquog 
bridge they have workt seven days in which time james workt seven 
days and David 5'^ days 

24*'' Was thankesgiving throughout the State Mr Cotton preached in 
Bedford continued out of case but was somc^ better 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 515 

25"' coutiuued to Recover better the night following there fell a snow of 
r inches deep 

26"^ Alex'^ and James and om- Oxeu with Joseph Patten and their team 
liauled two logs to Goffes mill to make plank to cover the bridge between 
and my brothers and they got one of them sawed and got the plank home 
the other they left unsawed 

28*'' James workt at the bridge and David and Alex'' made about a day 

29*'' we butchered the Cow we called the poor heifer she weighed 264 
£ of Beaf and 39 pounds of a hide and after james workt at the bridge 
and they finished it 

30"' I went to Deacon Smiths mill with four Bushels of corn and had it 
ground and I had Mr Underwoods horse to carrie it on 

DECEMBER 2d 

Capt Whiting came and began on the Survey by order of the Siiperiour 
court in the dispute between james Smith and me and I got a quart of 
Rum from Stephen Dole on credit 

3'^ we were on the Sui-vey and I got a quart of Rum from Stephen Dole 
on credit and I took the acknowledgement of two Deeds the one from Capt 
Whiting to Jacob McGaw and Stephen Dole and the other from McGaw to 
Whiting and I swore Da\'id Riddel to his bringing Rum into this Static 
The chain men on the Survey was Jacob McGaw and Stt^phen Dole 

5th QUR Robert began to make shoes for us 

8"' I got a peice of skin from French to make some heel Rans 

yth J gQ(; 1^- a pound of Tea from W'" Parkers wife at 1 /9 of which I 
paid 1/6 

12*'' I had Mr Underwoods Horse and took two bushels of corn and two 
of Rie to Deacon Smiths mill and had it ground 

On the 10th I swore John Riddel to three Certificates of his bringing 
Rum into this State 

14"' David and I went and got two Sticks for to make Runers for Sleds 
and took them to Goffes mill and had them Sawed they made a pair for a 
loging and a pair for a wood Sled 

15*'' David and I went and got a Stick for Spears and another for Beams 
and Rowlers and took them to Goffes mill but did not get them home with 
us but they sawed them in the Evening 

16th I -vvent Goffes mill and took four bushels of corn and had it ground 
and brot it and the Spears and beams home that they sawed last night 

17th ^yg were Surprised with the news of John Griffeu junr and his -wife 
and of Adam Thompson being drowned hist night going home from W"' 
McLaughlins infare and all my sons and I spent tho day in looking for 
them the men were; found presently but could not find the woman 

18*'' we all with a large number of people searched for the woman but 
could not find her and we all attended th(> nnnoval of (h-iffens corpse from 
liis fathers house for interment 

19*'' I went from John Bells to Isaac Atwoods for John Bell and took the 
acknowledgement of a Deed from Atwood to Bell 



516 MATTHEW PATTE>;'S DIARY. 

20*'' John Mc-Laiighliii John Bell Adam Smith and I met at Joseph Bells 
aud settled about our Brick aud the Expeuces iu makeing them I am tu 
have 9145 brick and my part of barrel of rum we had came to ten gallon 
one quart and a pint and what my part to pay Mr Lincoln for what he 
helped us is 8 shillings and one penny half penny 

22"^ I went to Isaac Atwoods and got a meat Tub he made for me and I 
took half a bushel of yellow beens toward the pay for it and on the 21st I 
took 53^ bushels of corn to Goflfes mill and had 4 of it gi-ound into meal 
and \% into Samp 

23'^ we butchered oiir three hogs they wtdghed 180 £ apeice one with the 
other and I borrowed a bushel of salt from my brothers folks 

34th I swore William Mc Alester and gave him a Certificate of his bring- 
ing 313^ Gallon of Rum into this State the feas to be settled iu our Acct 
And John Lincolns wife finished making a Coat for me and turning a 
jacoat for our Robert she charged a Dollar for the whole aud I gave her a 
bushel of yellow beans home with her toward her pay 

28"^ Alex' and I went to th(^ Ministerial land and got a stick for a pair 
of Sled Runers 

29"' I took it to Goft'es mill and took two bushels of corn and two of 
Rie but could not get the stick sawed nor the grain ground 

30th -was a heavey snow storm it fell 10 inches deep 

31'' I went to Goffes mill aud got the Meal of the grain I took there day 
before yesterday and I took 1)4" bushel of Winter Rie with me today and 
had it Ground 

JANUARY 1780 

3'' there fell a snow knee deep that it is now about 232 ^^^^ deep (in a 
level 

4"' we broke out to our wood by james Wallaces and brot home enough 
for two or three fires and I got an Earthern mug two poringers and a bason 
from Enssign Chubbuck at two shillings which I endorsed on the note I 
have ofl' him and John Lincoln nothing material untill the 26th on which 
I bot a pair of Cloath breeches at 15/ and a pair of stockings at 3/ at the 
Vendue of John Griff'ens things and the next day I gave my note payable 
in five months for the money 

FEBRUARY 18th 

I got four busliels of Indian corn and two busliels of Rie ground at Goffes 
mill and in January and the fore part of this month I got the same Quan- 
tity of Rie and Indian ground before and I made a new wood Sled 

20"' there fell a snow about nine inches deep 

24"' there fell a snow about 18 inches deep 

25"' David and I went to John Griffens and helped him to settle his 
Estate and David ^v^it the deed and and I took the acknowledgement the 
charge to be settled on a note I gave for things I bot at the Vendue of 
John Griffens .iunr things 

27"' I gave John Aiken junr four Certificates of his bringing Rum into 



MATTHEW PATTKN's DIAKV. oil 

this State the fees uot paid aud I gave John Patten a certificate of his 
bringing a barrel of Rum into this State 

MARCH M 

I went with Wilhani Williamson of Londonderry to Widow Riddels in 
this town and took the acknowledgement of a Deed from Snssanna Bell 
to his father for which he gave me a quarter of a dollar and I swore Doc- 
ter John Queen to an acct against james (Tillmoor and another against 
Zechariah Pike and to another against Peter Hovey and certified one oath 
to each acct I charged him a shilling for each he promised to pay me in a 
few days 

4*ii I got 6 bushels of Indian corn and two bushels of Rie Ground at 
Maj' Goffes mill Aud I went to John Boies to take the acknowledgement 
of a Deed from his mother to him of the old place but she would not do 
it 

(5'^ I swore Asael Smith to his account against David Rowel I charged a 
shilling unpaid 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MARCH 6th 1786 

7"' David ^^Tit a power of Attorney for Asael Smith and I took the 
acknowledgement the whole charge 1 /6 unpaid and I went to Maj Goffes 
and got John McLaughlins Team and brot 45 boards up to Frenchs and Majr 
Goffe helped me up the School house and Cnting hills with a pair of 
Cattle 

8'** I took ten boards and a plank that lay by my Brothers up to 
Frenches and I took a stick of Ranging timber of Rob* to the mouth of 
the brook and I got a pair of John McLaughlins Oxen aud a pair of josiah 
Gordon and I brot 44 boards from the mill being the last I have there up 
to Frenches 

9**^ I gave James Gillmoor a Summons for Evidences for his arbitration 
with Doctr Queen and I got Majr Goffes horse and W'" Parkers little 
Slay and I went to Sam" McFarlauds and I took two bags full of potatoes 
half a bushels of peas and a little flax to him a present and I lodged there 

lO*'^ I went to Majr Pinkertons and I bot a pound of Tea and }4 a pound 
of Snuff for which I paid 4/6 and Sam' McFarland gave me a barrel of 
Cydar and I brot it home and I Attended at James Gillmor and Doctr 
Queens arbitration for which I was allowed a Dollar in the bill of the 
Arbitration cost 

IS*"* was a town meeting for the choice of a Presedent Senators Repre- 
sentative County Treasui-er and Recorder which I attended 

M'** James Martin junr came in the Afternoon with tlieir 4 oxen aud 
hauled up two load of wood for us 

15"' I went to Amherst an Evidence for jothani Stearns in his case with 
James Sanders he kept me at Capt Heldreth 

16* 17th au(j igth I attended the Session as well on Stearns acct he borc^ 
my Expences all but 1/4 

20"' I let W'" Parker half half a bushel of vellow beans toward what I 



518 MATTHEW rATTEN\s DIAllY. 

owe him and I attended on james Gillmor of this town and Swoi-e the 
Apprizers of a Cow and a mare he took by Execution from Doctr Queen 
and I lodged at Ginmors over night my fec\s was a dollar to be paid by 
Gillmor 

25'^ I took 4 pair of Thighs and 4 pair of jaws of pork to John Moors to 
Bacon and I took three thighs for Frenches I had Frenches horse to carrie 
the meat on And I left three orders with John Moors wife for him to the 
amount of 3 : 9 : 9 toward my Rates one I drawed on the County Treas- 
urers for 1 : 12 : and one of 1 1/6 flrawed on him by the Selectmen for 
work done a Repairing Piscataquog bridge and another drawed by Sam" 
Goffe one him for Rebuilding Piscataquog bridge last Summer of 1 : 6 : 3 

27*'' I had John McLaughlins Mare and took provisions to David 
McClearys for otir Robert and I went to John Craigs and Rough shaved 
three net poles that I had there which I cut last Summer and brot them 
home 

28*'^ I went to Londondeny for jothani Stearns as a witness at his 
second trial with james Sanders before Esqr Neill and I lodged at Robert 
McMui-phys 

29"' I came homt^ 

30"' I went to. Litchfield to try to get money but got none and lodged at 
William Pattersons 

3P' I came to Jacob McGaws and I settled with him for 17^2 bushels of 
Rie I had from him a year ago I had 11)^ at his and Maj"' McQuestous and 
Adam Dickeys place in Goffes.town and I got from Adam Dickey on his 
acct made the 17>-2' at 4/6 per bushel and for 15)^ £ of iron at 1/5 pr £ 
came to 4-5-1 for which I gave him a Note on Intrest 

APRIL 1st 

John McLaughlin and us joined and di-awed in 17 logs of his unto the 
ways at Goffes mill and 16 for us being the last we both had to draw in 

2^ was a Violent snow storm from the N : E : the wind very high and 
the snow di'if ted much it fell a foot deep 

3'' was a pleasant day and John McLaughlin helped Alex'' to the Riv^r 
with two sticks of Ranging timber and then Alex'' helped him to draw 
six load of boards from Goffes mill to the River 

4"' Patrick McLaughlin helped Alex"" to the River with 3 sticks of Rang- 
ing timber and then they went to Goffes mill and hauled 10 stocks of 
boards for us and all that McLaugliliu had Sawed to the River which toolv 
them till evening 

5th -yyg got; my brors Steers and drawed out five stic-ks of Ranging tim- 
ber to Holms bridge and then David and Alex'^ set out for Litchfield ti > 
bring up our Cannoe which went of± last faul freshet 

6"' WAS THE ANNUAL FAST THROUGHOUT THE STATE 

7"' David and went with the Oxen and wheels to Reeds ferry for our 
Cannoe and I had jo a mug of W^ : I : Tody and ^4 a pound Snuff at 
McGftws toward which I paid nine pence the Remainder of the price I 
owe and in the evening I took the Acknowledgement of a Deed for 
Zekeil Lincoln unpaid The deed was from jolm Mcintosh 



MATTHKW I'ATTEN\s DIAKV. .")10 

8*'i I took the aclcnowledgeinent of a Deed from Timothy Kimbel to 
James Vose which Yose promised to pay for aud I took the acknowledge- 
ment of a bill of sale for Timothy Kimbel unpaid and I took the acknowl- 
edgement of a deed from W"' Fisk to John Spalding of Tewskberry to be 
paid by Spalding aud I let Zekiel Lincoln 15>^ bushels of potatoes 5 I gave 
him for a barrel of Cydar which I got today 5 I gave him for my part of 
his wages helping to burn the brick last fanl IJ^ I gave him out Right and 
the Remainder being 4 biishels he owes me I proposse to have }4 of a dollar 
pr bushel 

10"^ I let Nathan Shed have 8 bushel of potatoes came to two Dollars 
aud the afternoon I went at Ool Goffes desire to his house to swear some 
Evidences in an Arbitration between him and Enos Webster they awarded 
that the cost should be paid cqualy between them I charged a Dollar for 
my service I forgave Colo Goflfe his half the other half Webester owes me 

Ijth yfQ began to plow by Frenches being the first this Spring 

12*'> we had james Reads four Oxen the forenoon and his old Oxen the 
afternoon and we went with two plows aud had Eben"' French and 
Zebedee Rowel driveiug for iis and we finished plowing the field by 
Frenches 

13"' I sowed two bushels of Rie and about 20 quarts of peas by Frenches 
and in the Evening I swore Elisha Lincoln to his bringing (53 Gallons of 
Rum into this State I charged a Shilling unpaid 

14"' Alex"" Harrowed at the Rie and peas I sowed yesterday as well as 
yesterday part of the afternoon and John JMoor brot home our bacon that 
was at his house 123)^ £ of it 

On the 13th Alex"" got six bushels of corn Ground at Majr Goffes mill 

15"' we got 3 bushels of Rie ground at Majr Goffes mill we hauled of 
82 boards and two planks at the Saw mill and I settled accounts with 
Asael Smith and he fell 7/8 in my debt and he gave me an Order on W'" 
Parker for the money which Parker jn-omised to answer 

17th -^e had my brors Steers and we hauled some heading the boys made 
by Wallaces and then we hauled five sticks of Ranging timber to the 
River 

19"' Rob' and Alex"^ aud I Rafted the Ranging timber and they Rafted 
they Reckoned about 2000 of tlu^ boards they had Sawed at Goffes mill 
and Mrs Lincoln came hear to turn Davids Coat and jacot and I let 
French have half a bushel of Flax seed 

20"' Rob' and Alex"^ set oft" with their boards and Ranging timber and 
went to Rands Edy and there hitched to Lieut Yoses sons Raft and Alex"^ 
went in their service to Pentucket 

21"' Alex' came home from Pentucket 

22'! I began a net for the new setting place 

24"' I finished it and knit a shad net for David to carrie to the Eastward 
with him 

25"' David set out for Belfast and Mrs Lincoln went home and I sent 
4 bushels of potatoes and half a bushel of yellow bt^ans home with her and 
I knit a Scoop net 



520 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

26"' after dinner I went out the near meadow aud got Ash for five scoop 
net bows 

27"^ I made the bows in the morning and then I went to the little 
meadow and measiu-ed among the lotts alone 

28"^ James and I set a Rail fence across the field above the barn but did 
not finish for want of 9 Rails 

29*'> Jonas split the Rails to do out the fence and did it out the fence 
and I reed a pistereen from Majr Goft'e for the acknowledgement of a deed 
I took from James Doark to him and the afternoon we went to the funeral 
of John Bells wife Avho departed this life the 28th 

MAY 1st 

we had my brors Steers helping us to plow and I took off a plan of the 
little meadow for Lieut James Smith 

2'^ Capt Whiting and Capt Dole and Mr McGaw came and finished the 
Survey in the dispute between james Smith and me aud we had my brors 
Steers helping us plowon the 1st I got two pounds of tobacca and five 
ounces of Tea from W" Parker which with what I had from him before 
on credit answered for half a bushel of yellow beans he had off me and 
an order Asael Smith gave me on him for 7/8 ballanced the whole I had 
from him I had from last year five shillings worth of nails for which 
.-james workt 1^ day and Alex'' a day which which paid them that we are 
now clear 

4'h I sowed 11.2 bushel and three quarts of flaxseed allmost two bushels 
of Rie between and the meadow and we had John McLaiighlins old Oxen 
to help us to harrow it in 

S*"* I went to Daniel Blodgets in Litchfield at Esqr Underwoods desire 
as Attorney for David Lolly and took four Depositions to be us'd at the 
Superiour next week in a case David Lolly Plant Joseph Harvil Deft 
I charged a travil for each Deposition aud swearing them was 5/ each 
Deposition unpaid I expect to Recieve what the court will allow 

e*"* The afternoon I went to William Parkers to take depositions for 
Will'" Patterson in his case with Sam" Goffe I took but one for they 
agreed to leave their case to men I charged a dollar and Patterson paid 
me a dollar for my service 

7^^ Sabath day a very great Rain 

8'h I went and divided 8 stooks of Slitwork at Goffes mill with Joseph 
Goffe I had 60 sticks and Joseph had 40 there was some weaney sticks that 
we did not count on I got 3 of them and I attended the funeral of John 
McLaughlins daughter Mary and I took the acknowledgt of a Deed for 
Jonathan Rand from Joseph Barron unpd 

9*'' I went to Amherst to the Superiour Court to have my case with 
james Smith tried but my Evidences was not to go till tomorrow and 
court would not wait and I was obliged to give up the case I had to pay 
the jury 18/ I Reed a Dollar from my Rob' and I Reed 3/ from Esq 
Worstor and 2/6 from General Nichols on then- notes and I settled with 
Whiting for his doing the Survey in Smiths case and mine and for the 
plan and his comeing to me to make Return came in the whole to two 



MATTHEW patten's DIARV. 521 

pounds four shillings and gave him an order for it on Esqr I had my 
dinner and % a bowle of W: I: tody at Mr Ellsworths which I owe him yet 

10"! I shelled 4 bushels of Corn and I with the Oxen and took l.^j of 
Rie (being the last Rie I have of my own) to Goffes mill and had it 
(xround and I let David McCleary (have by his son) two biishels of 
potatoes and the boys all fished for Elwives brot home 91 and tliey got 8(5 
yesterday 

\V^ I took the acknowledgment of a Deed for one Mclntire of Goffes- 
town for which I Reed a Sliilling from Simeon Blanchard of Wilton who 
got it done and the afternoon I went to Ezekl Lincolns for james and 
settled his case with Robert Lincoln took all the afternoon 

14th I -^ent to meet the funeral of Lieut Whitfield Gillmor who departed 
this life at 9 o clock last night of a Nervoiis fevor 

15"' Alex' and I began to plant corn we planted the peice between and 
the Meadow and about the Well and before the Barn 

16"' james Alex'' and I went to the falls to fish and we got 30 shad we 
got 28 home John M(^Laughlin brot them home for us they Gave him 3 for 
carrieing them and they gave my brors folks one 

17th -^e got but but 5 shad all day and Polly came with John Pattens 
mare and took them home 

18"' james got 6 and let Rob^ Campbell 'of Newboston have them Alex"" 
got 5 and I got 8 and we brot the 13 home on John Pattens mare in one of 
these tlu-ee days that we have been to the falls Elisha Lincoln got a bushel 
of potatoes for his father that I had promised to let him have 

19"' I changed a peck and a quart of seed corn with Tho" HaiTis and he 
gave me a peck and three quarts of corn for grinding for it and I let Sam" 
Goffe have a peck of seed corn which he is to give me a peck of Rie for it 
the first time I go to mill 

20"' I mended my plow that my brors sons broke 

32'! we planted potatoes by Frenches we planted 6 bush(>ls and about 
3 pecks the 3 pecks we got from Mrs French 

23*1 we all went to the falls and came home the morning of the 26th in 
which time we got home 103 shad and how many Eels I cant tell the 26th 
we sold 54 for a Dollar in money and we let Esqr McGregore have 40 and 
let Rob* Spear have 40 and let W'" Parker have 20 and Matthew McVea 
9 and as I came home I got a pound of Snufi:' and )4, a pound of tea from 
W" Parker to be settled for and I got John McLaughlins mare and went 
to james Pikes at Capt Batons farm in Goffestown and got two bushels of 
Capt Batons salt toward his note 

27*'' we Rowed up some of the last of our Ground to plant corn on 

29"" we had young Stephen French helping us and we finished planting 
corn and we planted some beans some white and some yellow 

80"' james Alex"" and I went to the falls to fish Alex-" and I fished untill 
the 3d of June at night we got liome 200 Eels and I suppose between 30 
and 40 shad the Quantity of shad I Gues at we sold 20 Eels for money 
I paid Oliver Emerson 51 Eels for 5/6 I owed him for some tallow I had 
from him some years ago when he lived in Bedford and we let Capt 
McGregore have 40 Eels and let Matthew McVea have 54 Eels 



522 MATTHEW patten's DIARV. 

JUNE oth 

I got a note of hand from Thomas Boies against james Smith of ten 
pounds nine shillings in order to settle his Execution he has against me 
and I gave Boies my note on demand for the same sum and I had my 
brors young horse and I went to John Arbuckles in Amherst for John 
Patten to take the acknowledgement of a deed but he was not at home 
and I came to Stephen Doles and took the acknowledgement of five names 
to the deed and got home past the middle of the night 

6^^ at the desire of Col: Thorntons son james I went to Derryfield and 
measured off ten acres and 110 Rods of land to Satisfie an Execution his 
father had against John Little and at the desire of Nathan Kendal juur 
Deputy Sheriff I measured off 4)2 acres and 34 Rods to Satisfie an execu- 
tion Esqr Neill had against John Little and I swore the apprizers in both 
I was allowed a dollar on each Execution Thornton promised to pay nu> 
one and Kendall promised to pay the other 

7'^ james and I went to the falls james got 40 Eels and pxit them oft" to 
John Patten I got 5 shad and two Eels 

8"" I got 6 shad and 10 Eels one shad and 4 Eels I put oft' for a mug of 
Oydar and a mug of Grog 

9'^^ I went and measured what laud is on the west side of the highway 
of David Fosters land and I measured of an acre that W"' Parker bot from 
Sam'^ Moor at the bridge over Piscataquog River and Alex"^ workt for 
John McLaughlin 

IQth I g,it W" Parkers horse about noon to plow among our corn and 
james McLiiughlin workt for us and I went to W'" Parkers and took 
a Deed blank with me and Daniel Abbot filled it up and I took the 
acknowledgment of it from Sanmel Moor to W'" Parker of an acre of land 
at Piscataquog bridge in Bedford 

12"' I went with Lieut Daniel McNeal to Esqr Underwoods to assist 
him in a (iase that Capt Karr sued him the case was continued untill 
untill the 11th of September next at one of the clock the afternoon And 
I got a pair of new speiktales at McGaws on credit at two shillings And 
McNeal gave me half a dollar in money and found me a horse to Ride and 
I got a pair of Speckticles at McGaws on credit 

18"^ Alex'' and I Weeded at the corn 

14"' I set out to go to see David Pudney but I went no further than 
E^^qr McGregores and I writ to Pudney And I with Esqr McGregore and 
his brother the Capt Arbitrated between John Harwood and Sarah Wright 
on his geting her with child they agreed to our judgment I took a note 
for the whole fees which was 40/6 my charge for to day was 6/ the other 
arbitrators was 3/ each and David came home from Belfast 

15"' Rob^ began to frame his Barn and james got John Pattens mare and 
took out provision and tools and I went out and wt)rkt the afternoon tliere 
and brot the mare home in tlie Evening 

16"' we plowed part with the oxen and part with John Pattens mare and 
finished plowing for weeding except some beans 

17"' Elisha Lincoln Sn' and Patrick McLaughlin helped us weed corn 
and we finished all but some beans my David writ a Deed for Lincoln and 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 52-'5 

I am to take the ackuowledgemeiit which will pay his days work and we 
planted some beans between and the meadow 

19^^ I drawed two Certificates for josiah Gordon for Rum he brot inti > 
New Hampshire charged two shillings unpaid and I took the acknowl- 
edgement of a Deed for one josiah Parker from Samuel Goffe iinpd I did 
it at jese Worsters desire and Alex'' and I finished planting the peice be- 
tween and the meadow with beans 

20"i I got John Pattens Mare and took a bushel of our corn to Goffes 
mill and I went to Esqr McGregores and he let me have a bushel of Rie 
for which I paid him 5 /and I brot it to the mill and got them both ground 
and I had }4 ^ niug of Grog at McGregores on credit 

21"' Alex'' and I went to help Rob' with his frame and I borrowed a Kegg 
at Chandlers and went to John Wallaces and borrowed five Gallons of Rum 
for Rob' Raisings as I was going out to him and he borrowed David Mc- 
Clearys horse and I Rid him home in the Evening 

22"! I went out to Rob' and took out the Rum from Wallaces and we 
Raised his house and barn the afternoon and I went and lodged at Alex'' 
Gillcrests 

23=^ David and Alex'' and I came home in the forenoon and the afternoon 
my wife and I and the Girls went to my brors to John Pattens Inf are 

24"' we had John Pattens Mare and plowed among the beans west of the 
Garden and the corn before the barn and Alex' and I hoed what we 
plowed 

20"' Alex' hoed for John McLaughlin which paid what they helped us 
And I went to the falls and di-illed several holes below the old setting- 
place with Daniel Martin in order to make a place to fish and I had l}o' a 
jill of Rum in water at McGregores on credit and I got a >4 of Tea at W'" 
Parkers for which I paid a shilling 

27"' Was a fine Refreshing Rain and I went to james Gormans to see to 
have him get me a barrel of Rum and I Reed a Dollar from young John 
Goffe toward my Runing lines in Derryfield last fall for the selectmen and 
we had a poor little horse from David Foster and we plowed near }4 an 
acre of corn and I shelled 21., busliels of corn and got it ground at Goffes 
mill 

28"' james David and Alex' began to board the Barn by Frenclies and I 
hoed some at the corn and Potatoes 

29"' Simeon Chubbock helped us to about the middle of the afternoon 
when it came on Rain and put us of from work and him and james David 
and Alex' began to lay the long shingles on the barn and I borrowed 800 
of Board Nails from james Reed , 

SO"" I borrowed 300 board nails from Majr Goffe and I got a mare of 
james Underwoods and went to james Pinkertons and brot 2000 of board 
nails for which I paid three dollars and I Reed another dollar from John 
Goffe toward my Runing lines in Derryfield last fall and Suneon Chul)- 
buck helped us to lay long Shingles 

JULY 1st 
I paid Majr Goff<' the 301) nails I borrowed from him yesterday and james 



524 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

and Alexander workt for Simeon Cliubbuck a hoeinj? and David laid the 
long shingles one side of a bay of the barn 

8*1 Simeon Chubbiick helped us at the barn and we finished covering the 
Roof with long shingles 

4"* I Swore John Boies Junr to three certificates of his briugeing Rum 
into this State the charge 3/ unpd and james David Alex"" And I finished 
Boarding the barn and the Scafold and put two small cocks of hay into 
the new barn 

5"^ I was (jailed to measure off land of David Fosters Estate to satisfy 
ten Executions which was Levy,d by Samuell Corser and my David was 
one of the Apprizers of the land for two of the Executions we charged two 
dollars and took Foster for our paymaster and I bot the Mare that was 
Fosters from Corser for 20 Dollars to be paid in Stock and I gave him a 
note to be paid the first of next Septr with his i)romise not to call on me till 
October 

6"^ Alex' workt for Simeon Chubbuck the afternoon 

7"' Simeon Chubbucks wife got a peck of yellow beans and David and 
Alex'' and hoed the peice of corn between and the meadow and plowed 
among the corn 

8^^ james McLaughlin helped us hoe the forenoon and two Rows in the 
afternoon and there came on a shower that we hoed no more today and 
my wife let Stephen French have a peck of peas and a peck of yellow 
beans to be paid in leather in the fall of the year 

10"' I had to give Josiah Gordon two certificates in the Room of the two 
I gave him the 19th of last June the first being lost And we finished plow- 
ing and hoeing our corn the second time 

11'*' we plowed and hoed the potatoes by Frenches and David went about 
the middle of the day to help Rob' to cover his Barn 

12"' I had to go to Tho* Boies and james Vose to try to get an Order to 
pay Rates for to Ann Moor 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM JULY 12th 1786 

13"' I went to Lieut Orr and got an order from josiah Gillis for his work 
at Piscataquog Bridge of 1-4-6 and Alex"^ workt for james McLaughlin 
hoeing for us the 8th Instant and I Hued a Sleeper to lay our new barn 
floor on 

14"' I hued two more Sleepers for the barn floor and Alex"^ mowed for 
Patrick Fling for which Fling is to Reap a day for it 

15"' we had Frenches oxen the forenoon and hald two logs to Goffes 
mill to make plank for our barn floor and the afternoon we hued the Rest 
of the sleepers for the barn floor and I went to Tho*" Boies and got an order 
from him on the Selectmen for 2 : 4 : 9 for which I gave him my note on 
demand with Intrest which order I gave to John Moor with two selectmens 
orders one to my james of 1: 4: 6 and one to me of 1-1-9 cleared off all my 
Rates and james Rates I had paid 3-9-9 in three orders before and james 
had paid him 0:12:0 his Rates and mine was 8:12:9 the several orders 
and the 12/ james had paid amounted to the sum of our Rates 

17"' we had mv brors Steers and wheels the forenoon and we took two 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKV. 525 

logs to Goffes mill and we brot a stock of Eight plauk to our barn and the 
Afternoon we had Frenches wheels and David and I with our Oxen 
Drawed the Sleepers to lay the barn floor on and Alex"' mowed for French 

18"' David Alex'' and I fitted the Sleepers in the barn for to lay the floor 
on the forenoon it was a considerable a Rain today and the afternoon I 
took Agnes Killpatrick examination of her being with child of a Bastard 
to John Thomas Caldwell and a power of attorney from her to her father 
Gifl&n I charged 7/ 6 for the examination wart and power and the acknowl- 
edgement which Giifin promised to pay 

19"' we had Frenches Oxen the forenoon and my brors Wheels and we 
took a pine log to the mill and then an Oake to make Cart fellows and the 
afternoon we laid down about two third of the barn floor 

20"' Alex'^ mowed all day for james Houston and I went after Joseph 
Sanders to get him to make a pair of Cart wheels and David Raked hay 
for French the afternoon 

21^' we finished laying down the plank on the barn floor and got home a 
stick for the cart hubbs and I went out to our Rob** place and brot home 
some tools 

22*1 -y^e gQ^, home two plank to make cart fellows out of the log we took 
in the 19th and I borrowed 7 quart of Rum from John Mcintosh and I 
paid French what Rum we borrowed from him when we were covering 
our Barn and I swore Elisha Lincoln to his bringing a barrel of Rum into 
this State and gave him a Certificate uiipd and janies Houston made one 
new shoe out of my old shoes and set it and an old one of mine on my mares 
fore feet 

24"' Joseph Sanders came and began to make our Cart wheels and David 
and I workt at them allso 

25"' Alex'' mowed for Joseph Bell the afternoon 

26"' Alex'' mowed for Joseph Bell all Day and Sanders had to go to Chand- 
lers to mend a cart wheel for a man belonging Concord which took him 
half the day and I began to Reap by Frenches I reaped 15 slieaves 

27"' I lent Ezek^ Gardner four thousand of shingle nails and Sanders 
nearly finished the wheels he charged me 10/6 for S}^ days he was at them 
3/ he Owed me some years and eight pence he got for 4 spokes of mine he 
put into the Concord wheel he mended yesterday Reduced it to 7/ I owe 
him for his work to the wheels 

28"' Patrick Fling Reaped for us for Alex''*' mowing for him the Utk in- 
stant we viz him and I and Alex' Reaped the Rie by Frenches with what 
I Reaped the 26th there was 19 stooks and seven sheaves in all on it and 
David finished the Cart wheels all but putting the Tire 

29"' I borrowed two pound and six ounces of Iron from Freilc-li and got 
Houston to make 20 Cart nails of it and David and I put the Tire on our 
new wheels and Alex' mowed for Ezekial Gardner and David got two Gal- 
lon of Rum (that I borrowed from Ezek'' Gardner) and paid it to John 
Wallace toward the five Gallon I borrowed from him for our Roberts Barn 
and house Raisings and he got half a Gallon from French for our selves 

;51*'' we took in the Rie by Frenches and I got josei)h B(^ll to make me 50 
brad nails of my iron and Alex' got him to make him a Nib iron of my 



•")2G • MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

iron and Ezekial Gardner had my ox aud Cart to take in two jags of hay 
today and one the 29th and Simeon Chnhbiiek had them to take in a jag 
the 29th and David went to Chester 

AUGUST FIRST 

Alex"^ mowed for John Moor in the north End of the town to help pay 
toward a Sheep or two lie is to have from him Aud I fitted at and put np 
boards on each side tlie floor in the barn and David came home from 
Chester 

2'! was a Considerable Rain and Alex'' and David thrashed two stooks 
and a sheaf of Rie and there was two bushels and above a peck of Rie of 
it aud I took IJo bushel of it to Goflfes mill and got it ground and Joseph 
Bell made me 50 brad nails of my iron 

'S'^ I broke one side of the long body of my cart and David and I 
took a stick to G(tff(\s mill to make new sides and Alex"" mowed for John 
Moor 

4th T^Q gQj-, ^Ijp sticks sawed in two that we took to the mill yesterday 
but could get no more for want of water and David and I Repaired the 
cart body aud Alex'' thrashed three stooks of Rie 

5"^ Alex' went and took Jonathan Bayley with him and moved for John 
Moor and I thrashed 6 sheaves and cleaned it and what Alex'' thrashed 
yesterday 

7"' I went with foiir biishels of Rie to Goffes mill aud had it ground 
being all we have thrashed aud Alex"" began to mow at the little meadow 
being the first I went to John Boies and attended all day on Thomas Boies 
and James Yose and Swore the apprizers to satisfy their Execution against 
John Wallace and johu Rand Esqr 

8"' Esq'' McGregore and I held a Court at Chandlers on two Warrants 
between Sam" Moor and Sam'^ Huston they had each of them one against 
the other for lieing we aquited each uo cost taxed nor paid 

9"' James tlirashed of the flax seed and cleaned it there was a bushel & 
10 quarts 

10*'' James thrashed three stooks of Rie and I hooked up some early 
peas and David hooked up some and I Riddled the Rie to put it into bags 
but could uot clean it for want of wind 

11th y^Q all went to the Little meadow and David brot two jags with our 
Oxeil and Joseph Bell made me three Nib irons and made a link for a 
Draft chain and four wedges of my iron for the scyth tackleing 

12''' I gave William McAlester two certificates of his bringing Rum into 
this State and Joseph Patten brot a load of hay in the afternoon for us and 
David brot a jag with our Oxeu and james and Alex'' mowed some and 
turned and Raked up 14 cocks 

14"' was considerable of Rain and james borrowed two quarts of Rum 
from John Patten 

15"' we had Joseph Bell james and Patrick McLaughlin helping us mow 
and Rake and Joseph Patten brot a load of hay for us and I brot a jag 
liome 

16"' we had james McLaughlin help(^d its finish mowing and Rake and 



MATTHEW PATTEN'.S DIARY. 527 

josepli Patteu came out with his team and loaded it and Alex' (h-ove it 
home aud Joseph stay,d and Raked and I brot jag with our Oxen and we 
finished Rakeing there was 104 cocks of it 

17'^ we had John Wallaces son Tho» and his fotir Oxen and Adam 
Dickey and his four Oxen and cart and Joseph Patten and four Oxen aud 
cart and we had Frenches oxen and cart and we put our Oxeu with them 
made four teams and brot two load each which brot it all home we had 17 
load in all yesterday I gave Theophil Griffin a Certificate for his bringing 
Rum into this State to be settled for 

18"' I swore Sam" Fugard to his being an Inhabitant of Bedford charged 
a shilling unpaid and james and I Reaped at the Spring Rie at home aud 
Alex'^ workt for james McLaughlin at Chandlers 

19*'' james and I finished Reaping the Rie in morning and then went to 
the lott and hooked up the Remainder of the peas and thrashed the early 
peas and had about 13 quarts of them and David brot up the Rie there 
was 15 stooks of it and Alex' workt for james McLaughlin at Chandlers 
these two days of him paid wliat he lielped us this week at the meadow 
geting our hay 

21^* james thrashetl the peas and David and Alex' cleaned at the cellar 
to prepare for stoning it 

22*^ they got a few stones laid in the foreside wall and the upper end of 
the drain and I cleaned the peas there was 2 bushels and about 12 or 13 
«iuarts of them and Joseph Bell sharpened a Crowbar and oiir pick 

23<i james David Alex' and Simeon Chiibbuck workt at the Cellar wall 
and Joseph Bell steeled the point of james Crow barr with my steel and 
made me 20 brad nails of my iron 

24*'' james and Alex' helped Simeon Chubbuck mow two loads of hay in 
the Swamp and then he helped us at the Cellar wall and the afternoon 
David and I Raked and cocked it aud French had our Oxen all day help- 
ing him 

25"' james and David and oui* Oxen and Cart helped Simeon Chubbuck 
take in the hay we Raked yesterday and then he helped us at the cellar 
wall and I cut Stalks last night was a frost that cut the corn leaves Beans 
and iiotatoes a considerably 

26"' I cut Stalks awhile in the forenoon and it came on and was a pretty 
Rain 

28"' I went to Londonderry to hear the arbitration between Sam" Mc- 
Farland and John Crumbee at Mr jones and I went home with Rob' IMc- 
Murphy and I lodged there 

29"' it Rained the forenoon and tlie afternoon I went to Major Tolfords 
and I lodged there 

30"' I came home from Chester 

31"' I went to Chandlers and took three depositions for John Neal Esqr 
and Ezekial Gardner and Simeon Chubbuck helped james and Alex' at 
the Cellar wall 

SEPTEMBER 1st 

Simeon Chubbuck helped james and Alex'' at the Celhir wall and I cut 



528 matthp:w patten's diaiiy. 

Stalks and David had johu McLaughlins mare and went to Chester witli 
Susey and he came home at night 

2'^ we finished cuting and Stooking onr stalks 

4'^'^ we all leveled the honse and underpinned it 

6"^ I took Zech'> Chandlers and his wifes Depositions for Esqr Neall (vs) 
Rob* Willsou no person ajipeared for Willson 

6"* we all attended the funeral of Lieut Orrs wife 

7"' I cleaned the Rie of 4 stooks of the Rie that Growed at home there 
was only two bushels of it Alex'^ thrashed it the 5th 

gth J gQ^ ^j;ig ^y^TQ bushels that I cleaned yesterday gi-ound at Major 
Goffes mill in the morning and then I went to Oapt james Walkers 
funeral 

9"* Alex' work,d for Simeon Chubbuck and our Rob' work,d for us and 
james and him and David began to build the wall of the Arch for our 
Chimney 

11*^" I gathered the corn below the wall and the boys finished the wall 
of the Arch in the Cellar for laying the tiniber on 

12"' Rainey and we husked the corn and james filled a fine Riddle 

13"' I Delivered Capt McLaughlin all his mothers that I had in keeping- 
and took his Rect for them and obligation to save me harmless on the 
acct And I let Levi Whitman have a bushel of new corn and I let him 
have a shad fish and two lamper Eels day before yesterday with two 
shillings he owed me before paid him for a great Wheel I bot off him the 
ninth Instant 

14"' we got timber to cover the Arch all but one stick 

IS'** we got the Stick that was lacking for the arch and got stones to lay 
on the timbers 

16th J gQ^ 1,^ r^ bushel of New Indian corn ground and Esqr Neal sent 
his son for the Depositions I had taken for him I gave them to the boy 
and he i)aid me a Dollar for my takeing and certifying them and we 
worked at fixing stones on the Arch and Clay yesterday and today David 
Run lines and Measured land for james Underwood and james Mors 

18"' French had our Oxen and David got a bushel of new Indian corn 
ground 

2^*^ Patrick McLaughlin and their 4 oxen and he had Bells cart and 
Joseph Patten and their 4 Oxen and we had Frenchs Oxen and Steers 
with ouj: Oxen and we brot 5 loads of Brick and a load of Clay and Mr 
John Jones came to build our Chimney but did not bt^gin for we coxild not 
tend on him 

22*1 We tended on the Mason and leveled the foundation and began the 
Chimney and I got 1^4 bushel of Rie and 1}( bushel of corn ground and I 
went to Joseph Houstons and got ten pounds of Butter ofi" him toward my 
assisting him about his Coustableship 

23'i I borrowed 8 £ of pork from Matthew McDuffee and I went to the 
Forge and I got a Mantle tree from Shed it and the bolt weighed 30 £ and 
my wife let Mr Jones have 8 shad fish toward his work 

25"' Joseph Patten brot two load of brick from th(^ meadow and Nehe- 
miah Lincoln helped us to tend the masons 



.MATLiii:w I'ATTKn's 1)1Ai;v. 520 

26"' we had Nehemiali Lincolu and liis fathers four oxvn helping us 

27tii -^^e had Nehemiah Lincohi and liis fathers four Oxen lielpiug us 
but we met with bad hick that Oxen did not do more than 1 'o' days work 
in both days 

28"' w^e all tended on the Masons and yesterday I yot four bushels of 
Lime from John Moor to do the top of our Chimney and I got 1>^ bushel 
of corn ground and I borrowed two (luarts of Rum from Simeon Chiibbuck 
I got it at Chandlers on his acct 

29"^ we finished the Chimney about one or two of the clock Mr jones 
charged me 9}h dollars for building it of which David gave him two 
orders for two dollars on two of his neighbours and the 8 shad fish he got 
the 23d at 4/ and I let him have two corn baskets at 4/ more and I gave 
him a line to Will"' Patterson for a dollar and David gave him an order 
on him for ^^ ^ dollar all toward his building the chimney 

:50"' we began to tiu'ii the boards on the Roof of the house 

OCTOBER 2d 

We finished turning the Roof boards and I hewed a spear for the short 
Cart body and we got up the stageing for shingling and began to lay 
them 

3'^ David Run lines for Capt Samuel Moor and james and Alex"" shingled 
some and helped me to put the spear into the axle tree and I went to 
Sam'"' Patterson and got lj4 thousand of Shingles he owed me a number of 
years 

4"' we finished laying the Shingles on the; East side of the house 

yth I -vvent to try to borrow some Shingles from Esqr McGregore but he 
was not at home and james David and Alex'" took down the stageing and 
Errected at the other side of the house and laid some more than a thousand 
of shingles we were hindered with several showers today 

From this to the first of janiiary 1787 I kept no particular acct of my 
affairs only in the General That I went to Jacob McQuads on the 17th of 
Octob(;r for David Riddel and took the acknowledgement of a Deed and 
next day I went to Jacob again for David and took the acknowledgement 
of another Deed for David tor whitdi I charged half a dollar and some 
time afterward I drawed an order for it to Joseph Bell and he told mi; 
David answered it 

On the lOth we moYed into our new house In Novbr \ve diged a well of 
about 20 feet below the siu-face and liad above foiu- feet of water in it I 
gave John jones an Order on james Patten for a bushel of salt which he 
got which paid him all for building oiu- chimney exc^c^pt a Dollar for whicli 
salt I gave John Patten an Ord(>r on Joseph Barron for five shillings and I 
got six ( rallons of Mollasses from John Patten which was paid by two pigs 
he had and a Dollar I answered General Nichols for Recording three 
Deeds for him and other service I did for him the Molasses were two pis- 
tereeus a Gallon and sometime in December I took the acknowledgement 
of a Deed from John Whitman to Isaax; Riddel for which Isaac promised 
to pay mo and I gave John Burns junr a certificate of his bringing Riim 
into this state he ])romised to pay me for it On the fiffli of Decbr I mar- 
34 



530 MATTHEW patten's DIAin'. 

ried Rob* and Merriani Lincoln which day was a A^iolent snow storm fronx 
the N : E : and was followed on the ninth and tenth by an extraordinary 
snow storm from the N : E : the wind very high both storms and the 
snow drifted very much it was between two and three feet deep and in 
this month I took the acknowledgement of a deed from Isaac Riddel to 
josiah Gilles which Isaac promised to pay and I got 5 £ of tobacca from 
Joseph Houston which with 35 £ of butter I got from him this faull at 
three times paid me for my assissting him two or three years ago aboitt his 
constableshiji 

JANUARY 1st 1787 

.j"i and ()"' I surveyed twenty two acres and one hundred and six Rods 
of land to satisfie my Execution of Sam^ Moors to William Ordway for 
which Ordway gave me his note for 12/ 

16"> Simeon Chubbuck and Nehemiah Lincoln cut wood for us 

17tii T^Q ]jad John Bells Mare and my wife and David set oiit for Chester 
in our Slea 

18"^ Col Elisha Lincoln helped us on Simeon Chubbucks acct and to 
load the wood we got out the 16th 

19"^ we brot the Loom from the old house 

20"' I writ a Deed for John Kidder of Newchester to be paid in flax and 
I \vTit a letter to Col : Hutchins of Haverhill for flour and flax and my 
wife and David come home from Chester 

22'! William Ordway brot me a bushel of salt toward my pay for meas- 
ureing olf the land to him from Samuel Moor I allowed him five shillings 
for it and took an order on Esqr McGregore for the Remainder of my pay 
being seven shillings And I let David Pudney have a Cow. at 3-9-0 toward 
my Note and made a bargain with liim to let him have my two year Old 
steer in the spring for the Remainder of my note If I dont make out pay 
to 'him otherwise by that time and I got P^ bushel of corn ground at 
Majr Goffes mill 

24*11 I got 1^ corn and 1}4 of Rie groiind at Majr Goffes mill 

iiO^^ Alex'" Greg of Newboston came to my house for some advice about 
his bror james Estate and tarried all night he gave me a Dollar for my 
advice in the affair and time I spent with him 

FEBRUARY 1st 

I went to Litchfield to see to get corn from Widow Parker and Joseph 
Barns for what they owe me I got the promis of six bushels c^f c(n-n from 
james Nochar on Mrs Parkers acct 

2'! I borrowed james Wallaces Slea and went Majr Dunlap sand got Six 
Chair frames he owed me for 60 Eels he had 3 or 4 years ago to be settled 
in the frames 

3'! I went to Majr Pinker tons and I bot a pound of Tea and 3 Do of 
Shugar and >2 ^ o^ Snuff and an Earthen Mug all which came to a Dollar 
and I give him the Dollar I got from Alex'^ Greg for them 

gth French put in his horse with my Mare into the Slea and we went to 
Litchfield a)id I got six bushels of corn from james Nochar jxmr on Widow 



MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 531 

Parkers acct towards what she owes me of Probate fees she owes me two 
dollars of fees yet 

10"^ Nehemiah Liucoln worked for tis 

12*'! Nehemiah Liucoln come to work a week for us for a dollars ^^'t)rth 
of Eels in the Spring and worked 4 days of this week 

16"^ I got two bushels of Rie ground at Majr Goffes Alex'' thrashed it to 
day 

17"^ I had Frenches horse and Alex'' and took 20 bushels of Ashes to 
James Piukertons for which I got 1000 of Board nails }4 £ of tea a pen 
knife jill of W : I : Rum and two Coppers came to 11/8 the price of the 
Ashes at 7 pence pr bushel 

18"! Mr Allen preached in Bedford 

19"^ we attended William McAllesters funeral who Departed this life at 
4 oclock in the morning on the 18th and I paid james 800 of Board nails I 
borrowed from him the 29th of last June 

20"^ I gave John Gordon and order on the County Treasurer toward my 
Rates of Sixteen shillings 

23*1 Alexander Gregg of Newboston came to my hotise and tarried over 
night and gave me 13/4 to go with him to Amherst tomorrow 

24*11 I went with Alex'^ Gregg to Amherst & Avrit a Release from Rob* 
Morril and his wife of their Right to james Greggs Estate to Alex' Gregg 
for them to Sign And bot 4 £ of sliugar at Albrees for which I paid 2/4 
and bot a pound of Chalk at Means for which I paid four pence And Rob' 
Mathes got nine or ten hundred of hay out of my old Barn to be paid in 
Rie next fall at 9/ 

26"i I went Majr Pinkertons and bot a pound of snuff for which I paid 
2/8 and I wect to james Pinkertons and I bot half a Pound of Snuff at 
1 /4 and a pen knife at 1/ and a Quire of paper at 1/ and I paid him the 
money for them 

27*^ was a snowy day it fell five or six inches deep 

28*11 John Cuningham got half a tun of hay from me And I went to 
Amherst for Alexander Gregg to try to get Robert Morril out of Goal 
and had to tarrie over night 

MARCH 1st 

I was on the same business but he would not come out but I got liberty 
for him to come to Mr Smiths and he signed a Quitclaim to Alexander 
Gregg of his Intrest in james Greggs Estate and Returned him to prison 
again And Alex"^ Gregg gave me two Crowns or 13/4 lawful for my trouble 
and I came home 

o*'» I went to Goffestown Annual meeting at Capt Timothy Eatons 
desjire who promised to pay me for my going to see about theii' settleing 
the line between them and Newboston which jirevented its being settled 

6"i I went to Amherst at Rob' Morrils desire to try to get liim out of 
Goal but the com't did not sit and (^ould do nothing for him and I gave 
him a pint of Rum which with my horse at hay while I staid cost me 
nine pence and I went to Alexiinder Greggs in Newboston to help apprize 
james Greggs Estate 



532 MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 

7*'' and 8"' was on the business of Apprizing said Estate and Attesting 
to the Inventory and Returning home I agi-eed to have a Cow from Alex"" 
Gregg at ten dollars to be paid in service my present service answered 
three dollars of her 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM MARCH 8th 1787 

12"' I sent Alex' to Newboston for the Cow I am to have from Alex'' 
Gregg and he got her and he came to Widow McCollums and lodged 
there 

13"' he came home with the Cow and brot word for me to go to Alex"" 
Greggs to take Deacon Fersons Depositions in perpetuam concerning his 
bror Johns Estate 

14th I "vvrent to Alex' Greggs as pr desire and lodged there 

15"' Esqr Cockran and I took Deacon Fersons Deposition in perpetuam 
And the afternoon I went to Amherst and attended the Sessions and 
Alex' Gregg sent the Deposition and the Inventory of his brors Estate 
with me to be Returned and Recorded I Returned the Inventory to Mr 
Dana for which I paid 3/4 and I gave the Deposition to General Nicholes 
but gave him no money for he owed me Gregg gave me 13/4 to do them 
things and for my trouble and I lodged at Colo : Baldwins 

16"' and 17"' was on the business of drawing a petition for Robert Mor- 
ril to iiave the liberty to swear out of Goal prefering it obtaining an order 
for a hearing from the judges drawing a coppy and geting it certified 
serving the Selectmen of Bedford with it the Clerks fees was 2/ which I 
paid for Morril and did not Receive it from Morril he paid my Expences 
at Colo Baldwins which was 10/4 I attended the Sessions these two 
days 

19"' I went to Escjr McGx'egores and got a bushel and a peck of salt for 
an Order that William Ordway gave me on him the 23d of last janiiary on 
acct of my laying off land from Sam" Moor to him And I got a bushel of 
Rie and a bushel of corn from Majr Goffe and I gave him three Crown at 
twenty shillings lawful and he is to let me have grain for the Remainder 
of the money more than what I got today came to 

20"' I went to Nathan Sheds to get him to make an ax he was from 
home and I got none 

32"^ I went to Majr Pinkertons and I bot a Gallon and a pint of Rum at 
3/ and l^ £ of tea at 1/4 and two pounds of shugar at 1/ all come to 5/4 
and I paid the money for them And I brot the Rum to Majr Goffes and let 
him have it which paid him the Bottle full of Rum I borrowed from him 
some time last fall 

33'^ I got foiir bushels of English Turnips from Ezekial Lincoln which 
stood in the ground over winter to be settled for in our Acct 

24*'' was a high wind at N: W: and very cold and Alex' and the Oxen 
worked for james Reed and in the afternoon several of the neighbours 
came and we moved Reeds new barn frame between 3 and 4 Rods East 

36"' I went and got 3 bushels of Indian corn And half a bushel of Rie 
from Majr GottV, which with the bushel of corn and the biishel of Rie I got 
the 19th from him came to the 30/ I gave him there 



MA'PrilKW pattp^n's diakv. -l-SB 

27"' I weut 4o Amherst with Alex' Gregg and from there to Newboston 
to assist him in obtaining proper security for the money Deacon Cristy 
owed his bror james I got home the 80th at night bat we got no new se- 
curity my wages was four dollars to be discounted in tht^ i)ricc of the Cow 
I got from him and I borrowed ten dollars from him for which I gave him 
a Note on demand with Intrest uutill paid 

;3P' I went to Widow Riddels at Widow Mary Bells desire to help to set- 
tle her affairs but she had done it Verbaly and I went to Esqr Orrs and 
Delivered a petition from Rob' Morril and John Cuningham got five hun- 
dred of hay from me 

APRIL 2d 

I went at Widow Mary Bells desire to Widow Riddels and my David 
Avent with me and he writ her will And John Mcintosh up the River got a 
Tun of hay from me out of my old Barn 

3*1 I went to Amherst to see about Robert Morril svva>aring out of jail 
had to tarrie over night 

4"' the judges gave it as their oppinou that he did not come within the 
prescription of the law and therefore could not swear on it Alex"^ Gregg 
l)ore my Expences and found money to pay the judges and Clerk was 13/4 
and he gave me 8 pence to my self and I came home and toward evening I 
went to Widow Riddels and had Mary Bells will Read she departed this 
life yesterday aboiit noon and was buried today in the afternoon she had 
appointed me her Executor 

6''' I went to Nathan Sheds and he laid an Ax and shut the web or bit 
of one into an Eye I got from Samtiel Goffe in the lieu of 5 £ and 10 ounces 
of Refined iron he borrowed off me two or three years ago the steel was 
mine and the iron that laid the ax was his 

?"' I was to hold a Court George Orr Plant David Foster Deft they ap- 
peared and settled Orr is to pay the fees my fees was 3/9 and a shilling 
more for signing the blanks 

9"' I went to james Pinkertons and bot 2>^ yards of Germin serge 13% 
lb of iron 3 7-16 of English steel 3 lb of shugar 1 lb chocolate Do tea one 
pint of Rum for which I paid him 1-5-11 Jo but I suppose tliat I paid him 
1 / more than the things came to through some mistake 

1 1"' Joseph Bell laid a peice of Iron and a peice of Steel on the point of 
my plow shear and a peice of steel on the Colter the steel and iron was 
mine And james Reed and his oxen and Mare and John Cuningham and 
his Oxen and Mare and his boy split Indian hills for me and I had young 
Stephen French to flrive for Reed and Alex' harrowed with our Oxen and 
mare And John Cuningham got f) or (5 hundred of hay from me 

12"^ WAS THE GENERAL FAST THROUGHOUT THE STATE 

13*'' I went to Capt Aikcns and took down minuts to draw his will by 
and afterward I went to Sheds old place and Yendued liis land and house 
I propose not to charge Aiken anything for my day 

14^^ Amos Gardner got three bushels of potatoes which with a bushel of 
potatoes he got in the winter paid him for all the bask(>ts liim and his wife 
made for me last faiil 



534 MATTHEW patten's DIARY. 

16"^ I bot two bushels of com fi-oin jouo Bailey for which tpaid hiiu 6/8 
and I got the corn ground at Major Goffes mill aud I let james Wallace 
have 800 of hay out of uiy Baru at home 

17"^ I lent Mr Bodwell 500 of hay to be paid next Summer Aud went to 
Amherst aud took David Riddel and my David as witnesses to Widow 
Bells -will and had it proved for which I paid 10/ our Expences was 2/4 
David was a Witness to W'" McAllesters Will which was proved at the 
same time I Reed a Dollar from W'" Rogers of Acworth to help pay the 
fees and the other dollar I found 

18"' Esqr Orr and held a Court james Camis Plant John Little and his 
son james Little Deft Orr and I adjourned the Cotu't untill Wednesday the 
16th of May next at three of the clock in the afternoon to meet at my 
house 

23'^ james Houston made a plate for our breaking up plow aud changed 
a plate that he had and iron for a link of a chain for an old Ax of mine 
and made the link and put it in a Chain of Chandlers thro a mistake and 
Joseph Bell put a bit of steel on the point of my breakeiug up Colter and 
dxawed the bolt about an inch longer and james Wallace finished makeing 
a breaking up plow for me I found the handle and mould board 

25"' we had John McLaughlins and his four Oxen and we had james 
Wallace pair and Frenches pair of Oxen and a pair of Oxen from Gordon 
and an Ox from Ezek' Lincoln that we put with our off ox and we broke 
iip the peice between the field and the barn and we had Lincolns son 
Isreal to help us drive 

26"^ Joseph Bell made two shoes of my Iron and set them on my mares 
fore feet a considerable Rain last night a moderate aud Rained today the 
^vind at north and very cold 

27tii -^ye had Frenches Oxen an hoiir or two with ours and twitched a 
few logs and made up the fence about the field at home and I got 3 bushels 
of corn from Jonathan Bailey and I gave him two Crowns or 13/4 Lawful 

28"' I lent John Boies nine hundred of hay to be paid in hay next sum- 
mer and I got the 3 bushels of corn Ground at Goffes mill that I got off 
jona Bailey yesterday 

30"' we had Ezek- Lincolns Ox and worked with ours 

MAY FIRST 

we had Lincolns Ox and John Cuninghams boy and Steers and we 
plowed at the old place 

2*1 we had Cuninghams boy and steers and John McLaughlin and his 
four Oxen and Lincolns Ox and plowed with two plows at the old place 

3<i I borrowed one of the Crowns I had paid jono Bailey and went to 
Majr Pinkertous and I bot a pound of Tea at 2/8 aud half a pound of snuff 
at 1/4 and a pound of Chocolate at 1/2 and six pounds of shugar at 3/ 4 and 
I paid him the money for them and Lincoln had our Ox at work for him 

4"' james worked for Joseph Patten 

S"' we had Joseph Pattens four Oxen and David and I plowed in tlie 
field by the lioiise 

7"' we had Joseph Pattens four Oxen and John Cuningham and his son 



MATTHEW patten's DIAltV. 535 

aud his Steers aud Lincolns Ox to work with ours aud plowed out the field 
by the house aud harrowed the new ground And I went to Newboston to 
assist Robert Morril in an arbitration with Robert Patterson of Newboston 
and I lodged at Alex^" Greggs 

8"^ I borrowed nine Crowns from Alex"^ Gregg and gave him my note for 
it and for nine crowns I borrowed from him the 30th of last March and 
dated it the 20th of last April and I went to Amherst and I got a Copy of 
^vidow Bells will with letters Testamentary for which I paid 3/ helped 
Morril about his affairs and Majr Oliver Holms gave me a dollar to tarrie 
as an Evidence for him at the court and I put up at Smiths 

9"i I tarried and attended at the court and assisted Morril and I ad- 
vanced 8 of the crowns I borrowed from Gregg for Morril to help pay debt 
he owed at Keen and I signed note for 1-6-11 with Morril for the Remain- 
der of the debt and cost 

10"' I attended the court aud the Majr got his affaii" on at Evening and 
he gave me two dollars more which -svith the one he gave me before I 
accepted as full satisfaction for my attendance 

llth Was a Rain last night and I settled my Reckoning at Smiths before 
dinner which was 11/5 and Morril pd 5/5 of it and I drawed an order on 
Esqr Neal for a dollar to Mr Smith for the Remainder of my Reckoning 
and I eat my dinner there after our settlement for which I paid 10 pence 
I had a bowle of punch at Means for which I paid 1/6 and one penny for 
snuff my whole expences was 13/10 and I came home in the afternoon on 
the 9th I got a Quire of Deed blanks from Esqr Worster toward his note 

12*'' I let Nathan Shed have five hundred of hay 

14th I got 21.3 b^ishelof cornfrom jont. Bailey and paid him for it and 
the Crown I borrowed from him the 3d Instant there was but % of the 
cro^vn his and I shelled )^ a bushel of our own corn which made it up 3 
bushels and I got it Ground at Goffes mill 

15"' I sowed about % of a bushel of flax seed and I suppose near as many 
peas aud the afternoon I attended Capt Aikens funeral and went back to 
his house from the Grave and produced his will (for he gave it to me to 
keep) and had it Read and then gave it to his widow 

16"' in the afternoon was Cairns and Littles case by adjournment they 
agreed to leave the case to men aud appointed it a Rule And a while before 
Sun set my Mare went off do\^^l toward Mr Dickeys David followed her 
about % of a Mile but could not catch her nor stop her 

IT"* I went as far as McGaws on foot and got an acct of her going by 
there about sun set and then came home and got my brothers young horse 
and went After her through Dunstable to Jacob Howard in Chelmsford 
and lodged there 

18"' I crosed over the River at Widow Colburns and went to Mr josepli 
Richardsons who bred her and then to Mr jabcz Colburns who had owned 
lier and then up tlirough Notiughani and Litchfield as far as the meeting 
house and crosed the River then and up by Merrymac Meeting house aud 
then home but could not get any further acct of her my Expences was 2/(5 

19"' I had word sent me by james Houstons folks that my mare was at 
Colo Thorntons and I got a Mare from French of his Mother Colburns to 



536 IsrATTIIEW patten's 1)1 Ai; v. 

<lo an eraut t'i>r him to Joseph Thomases and McCxaws and I got my mare 
iu Charity Luuds field and I bot a pen knif aud 6 Bisqiiit and and % a 
bowle of W: I: Tody and two cojipers worth of snnff at McGaws for which 
I paid him 2/ 1 and 2/;J 

2P' David and I furrowed the land at the old place for planting- with 
the mare 

22"^ John Cnuiugham and his son helped us and we planted the corn at 
the old place all but a little which was so wet that we could not plant it 
aud some potatoes and some Beans 

nothing material untill the second of june sa^'e that we improved fishing 
what we c-ould and got but about a Dozen Shad and ninety four or five 
Eels 

JUNE 2d 

1 let Colo Aaron Kinsman have my English Ox in pay of the mare I 
but from Samuell Corser last summer we sat no price he is to pasture him 
and to Acct for what he comes to when killed and sold out pastureing de- 
ducted 

ot'^ James Da^'id and I worked at the highway by Martins the forenoon 
under Chandler for last year we have done about 4 days w^ork of ahand 
more than our Rates beside two days of a pair of Oxen and a day of ahand 
breaking paths in the mnter 

17th -^yg l^Jf(- (jff flashing we got about Eels in all and put off about at the 
falls and on tlie 19th my wife let Matthew McDutt'ee have 30 Eels for 8 £ 
of pork I borrowed from him last fall when we built our Chimney they 
Avere salted and Dried and james and David began to weed the corn at the 
old place and I shelled what corn we had there was 2% of a bushel of it 
and I got it ground at Goft'es mill and I had tlie toal for which I paid }4 a 
l>istereen to Joseph Goffe who ground it 

ON the 11th I settled a line between Archibald Gambel and Mr Ayers 
in Derryfield for which Archibald paid me a Dollar 

22'i last night I fished at the falls and got 25 Eels and I got two salmou 
tliat weighed 23 £ and two shad in the day time and David took the Eels 
and 27 he got to Ezek' Lincoln 

26"' James McLaughlin helped us weed corn 

27 James McLaughlin John Cuningham and Col Elisha Lincoln helped 
us hoe 

28"' Amos Gardner aud John Cuningham helped us hoe forenoon and we 
finished weeding 

29th I ^Qi .^ Gallon of Rum from Isaac Riddel toward what he owes me 
and I paid Simeon Chubbuck two quarts out of the Gallon that I owed 
him since we built our Chimney last fall I liad tlie two qiiarts from Chand- 
ler on our account 

30*^ David aud I Cut Bushes betwixt and Wallaces and james worked 
for Chandler 

JULY 2d 

I attended at John Cuningham to swear the Witiiesses in Cairns case 
^vith Little before the Referees at Cairns desire that Referees Returned 
the Rule without any Report 



ISIATTIIKW I'ATTKN's DIAUV. 587 

;3'' I weut to William Parkers at his desire and measured a peice of laud 
oil the west side of the highway of David Fosters laud that Parker had 
l>jt Parker gave me 1/6 iu mouey and is to Sole my shoes for the Remaiu- 
<li>r of my pay aud the Deed 

4"' I weut to William Parkers aud took the Deed with one of tlie peice 
of laud 1 measured yesterday aud took the aclmowledgemeut aud had % a 
l)Owle of W: I: tody aud Parker soled my shoes aud we offset uiy service 
against the }>i of a dollar he gave me and soleiug my shoes aud the tody 
and I brot my Nets aud Eel hook home from the falls 

7"' Joseph Patteu helped us hoe for oiu- james" helping liim yesterday 
aud James Patterson and John Riddel apprized widow Mary Bells things 
aud I attended and I borrowed a quart of Rum from David Riddel for us 
to drink on the business aud David Riddel paid me 2/ for two Certificates 
he had of his bringing Rum into this State the one was in the year 84 and 
the other in 85 

U"' Joseph patten the forenoon aud part of the afternoon there was a 
shower aud the burial of james Wallaces child which was dead born this 
morning 

lO"" we had some corn iu ears iu a barrel which I did not know of and 
1 shelled it there was about 38 quarts of it and I got it ground at Goffes 
mill by jospph Goffe lie let me have the teal of it for which I paid him 
four coppers * 

12'^ I went to McGaws in the afternoon and I got a biishel of Barly at 
o/6 and seveu pound of Rice at 2/ and G}uii'e of paper at 1/ and and a 
Glass W: I: Rum at /2 aud I paid him the money for them aud I brot the 
Barly to Majr Goffes and got it ground and I paid him o^o copers for the 
toal 

17''' I attended at Chandlers at Silas Walkers desire and assisted him 
aud his Mother and james about Receiving the Claims on Cajjt Walkers 
Estate aud directing the drawing of Receipts &c I charged a Dollar 

20"' David hoed corn for Joseph Patten and yesterday and today I 
cleared southwest of the Barn 

21^* Joseph Patteu with james Neasmith on his acct helped us lioe tlie 
afternoon 

23'' Da^'id mowed what Englisli grass was at the old i)lace 

24"' David hoed for james Wallace untill in the afternoon when there 
came on a great shower there was a large quantity of Rain fell it Rained 
several hours aud I borrowed 1% bushel of Riefrom French and we Suned 
it until the shower came on and it shrinked a peck of the measiire and 
was not fully dry aud I got it ground at Goffes mill 

26"' John McLaughlin with one pair of Oxen josiah (Jordoii and theii' 
horse aud one of then- oxen and we put our Ox\%nth him and our Mare aud 
made a team of them and John Cuniughams steers with McLaughlins 
Oxen made another team aud james Wallaces oxen and james Reeds Oxen 
made another team and I had young John Cuniugham and young Stephen 
French which drove two of the teams and Gordon and David went with 
other team and we plowed at the old place for to sow Rie on and jean and 
iSarah Raked hay in the afternoon for Frenchs Stephen driveingoxen for me 



538 MATTHEW patten's DIAIIY. 

27"' we had josiah Gordon and his Ox and horse and our Ox and marc 
aud Wallaces aud Reeds Oxen aud young John Ciiniughani to drive and 
we plowed at the old place we plowed 6)^' acres yesterday and today 

30^^ David and I finished plowing among the corn at the old place and 
James hoed and finished hoeing there 

8P' old Elisha Lincoln hoed for us at home 

AUGUST 1st 
Elisha Lincoln helped us hoe and we finished hoeing at home 

On the 30th my james and Reed thrashed 4 Stocks of Frenches Rie and 
(;leaned it and I borrowed two bushels of it aud when we su.ned it so that 
it would grind it shrinked about 12 quarts and I got it ground the 31st 

2'! I got 1)^ Gallon of Rum from Isaac Riddel and I paid Chandler '> 
quarts of it for David that he borrowed in the fore part of July and David 
went to james Pinkertons and bot }4 a pound of tea and ^o a pound of 
snuff and 2 ounces of indigo U' a quire of paper and Pinkerton allowed a 
shilling in the pay for them that I had paid him too much the 9th of last 
March I sent 3/4 y< in money 

3*1 I got a gallon of Rum and a gallon of Mollasses from Isaac Riddel 

4th I began to Reap our Rio I Reaped 2 Stooks 

6"' David and I Reaped 6 Stooks 

7''^ Da\dd and I Reaped 7 Stooks and 1 Sheaf 

8*"^ Joseph Patten and John Clogstone junr on Josephs acct Reaped tlit- 
forenoon and our james Reaped all day and David and I and we Reaped 
30 Stooks lacldng a Sheaf 

!)"* David and I Reaped 3 Stooks and 5 Sheaves whicli finished oui- Rie 
we have 48 Stooks and 5 Sheaves and William Bodwell mowed for John 
McLaughlin on my acct 

11th -^yp gQf "VVallaces and Frenches Oxen aud we brot home 16 Stooks of 
Rie 

13'^ we thrashed 5 Stooks and we had 3X bushel of Rie out of it and we 
got it well suned I got the Rie all ground except ^2 ^ bushel I lent William 
Bodwell and we had Wallaces and Gordons Oxen and we brot home the 
Rest of our Rie 

14*'' John Ciiningham helped us mow and David nioAved at the little 
meadow being the first we mowed there this year 

15*'' John Ciininghain helped us and David and him mowed at the 
meadow and Cuninghams son came to help us and he built a load of hay 
and it came on Rain and he came home I took Gordon oxen and put in 
our mare aud brot the load of hay home 

16*** John Cuniugham and his son helped iis and I got a Gallon of Rum 
from Isaac Riddel 

l?**" John Cuningham and his son helped us and we had Gordons Oxen 
and brot a load of hay 

18*'' We had Wallaces Oxen and put in our mare and brot a load of hay 
and Reed brot a load of hay for us with his Oxen and Mare 



MAirnKw patten's jhai;v. 530 

20"' Joseph Patten brot a load of hay with foiir oxen aud we had Wal- 
laces Oxeu aud oiir mare and brot two load and Reed went with his Oxen 
and mare and brot two load aud Bodwell helped us mow 

2P' last night Raiu,d a considerable quauity and Rained by turns all 
day 

22'' Rain by tiu'us all day aud Joseph Bell made a new shoe of my Iron 
for my mare aud toed an old one and set them on my mares fore feet and 
he drilled a hole in a puding pan Kittle aud put in an old Beal in it 

23'^ James finished mowing aud jean and I turned the hay &c that was 
mowed the 20tli but got none Raked the meadow was so flooded by the 
drawing of Esqr Orrs mill pond aud David went to Dracut for the Ox he 
had bargained for with Widow Mirriam Colburn 

24"^ Joseph Patten brot two loads of hay and Reed brot oue load and 
James jean Sarah aud I got the hay all into cock and David brot home 
the Ox he is to pay 16 Dollars the first of next July and six bushels of Rii> 
when Merchantable to be carried to her to Dracut for the Ox 

25"^ Joseph Patten brot oue load of hay and Reed brot another load 
which finished we have 14 load this year I suppose there is about }4. less 
than there was last year on the meadow 

37th ^yg got two Boar pigs from John McLaughlin aud james mowed foi' 
josiah Gordon for his aud the Ox help we had of him aud his father and 
David worked for Reed for what he has helped us 

28"» David worked for Reed aud james Mowed for Gordon part of the 
forenoon 

29"' james began to thrash the flaxseed off 

30"' james finished thrashing the flaxseed and David worked for Reed 
and I went to Newboston by the way of Goflfestown to try for money for 
Tho" Boies aud lodged at Alex' Greggs 

31'*' David worked for Reed and I came home from New]K)stou 

SEPTEMBER FIRST 

David worked at makeiug a liaiTow and I got a bushel of Rie gTouud at 
Goflfes and we took our flax to Bodwells field to dry out 

3*^ David began to harrow the laud we fellowed at the old place aud 
james went aud burned the peice over he had cut down at his place aud I 
took Sam'i Miles wifes deposition concerning his conduct to her and james 
Patterson for which Patterson gave me a pistereen 

7"' I went to Dunstable to judge Blauchard for Alex Greg of Newboston 
to know his Opinion about his Brother james Estate 

lO'*" I went to Newboston to give Alex' Gregg an account of judge 
Blanchards opinion of his brother james Estate aud to g(>t some winter 
Wheat to sow from james smith and I lodged at Smith 

11"' Smith thrashed aud cleaned two bushels of wheat and I came honu; 
wnth it Rob' Mathes is to pay james Smith for the two bushels of wheat 
for }/2 a tun of hay I let him have last spring or winter 

17"' I sowed the two bushel of wheat I got of james Smith aud I got 2^^ 
bushels of Rie from John Boies for nine liundred of hay I let him have 
last spring aud I changed two bushels of spring Rie with my brother for 



540 MATTHEW I'ATTEX'S DIARY. 

two bushels of winter Rie and I sowed about thi-ee bushels of Rie and I 
took the ackuowledgenieut of three deeds oue was from Deacon Moor and 
liis sou Will"' to Stephen French and the other two was from the Deacon 
to his son William French is to pay for all the tliree I charged 3 shillings 

IS**" I sowed as much Rie with what I sowed yesterday as made up 
about 4 bushels 



Ou the 13th to a Deed from John Biu-ns of Newboston to Nathan Shed 
for which Burns paid me 1/ the acknowledgement to Shed unpd 

A DAY BOOK CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 18th 1787 

"20"' I took the acknowledgement of a Deed for Ajiios Martin to be paid 
in Rie 

21" I took 18io Imshels of Ashes to Isaac Riddel and I got lyi Gallon of 
Molasses from him toward them 

25**^ I swore Sam" Fugard to his liveing in Bedford in order to his get- 
iug his half pay from the State to be paid in Rie 

28*'^ I Rtm lines for Tho" Hays Senr of Merrj-mac I charged him a 
dollar unpd and Polly took a bushel of Flaxseed to Pinkertons and got 
a pound of Snuff and y^ Do of Tea and two pound of shugar she had John 
Cuninghams mare for doing some Errands for them 

OCTOBER 3d 

Joseph Bell Steeld 11 harrow teeth forme I had Steel to do !) of them 
and I took as much of Capt W'" Walkers as Steeled two of them 

4"> I went to Londonderry to Rtm the lines of a fourth Division No 27 
which was owned by Esqr Boies heirs and my fatheriuLaws heirs and I 
lodged at George McAllesters 

5^'i I was on the same business Robert McMiu-phy and james Dough 
was with me on the affair we made out the bound and I came in the 
Evening 

gth I g^^j-, iialf a bushel of Rie from Sami' Fugard for my Swearing him 

the 25th of last Septr atid once last year about his geting his pay from the 

State 

DECEMBER 

I measured twelve Acres of land for Lieut Alex"" McColley out of Mr 
Sheds lott and for drawing a plan of it for him and writing a deed of it W 
paid me two bushels of Rie in January 1788 

Since the 8th of last Octr many things worthy noting I have carelessly 
Omitted In that time I Reed two bushels of Rie from John Patten ou 
Amos Martins acct by which I fell a shilling in Amos debt I am to get 
two deeds Recorded for him toward the pay of the Rie And I got ^4 of a 
bushel of Rie from james Dm-ah on my Davids acct and I got almost a 
})eck of Rie froin him toward what he owes me for brick 

JANUARY 1788 
Several things omitted in this month which ought to have been inserted 



MATTHEW 1'ATTEN's DIAliV. 541 

FEBRUARY 9tli 

Capt Dana with tlie Exec" which Noah Cook had against me for iiiy 
being bondsman for Rob* Morril 

11"^ I took a pair of Bull calves to Capt Lovcjoy and Capt Dana took 
them at six dollai's toward the Execution 

MARCH 12th 

my James took nine busliels of potatoes and a bushel of yellow beans to 
Amherst to Capt Dana which paid off the Execution I had a horse from 
Symonds Bodwell to put in wnth our Mare 

APRIL nth 

David and Alex"^ had our logs surveyed at Dracut to Daniel Coburn t< > 
Saw there was 542 feet of Oak and 330 feet of pine logs and one pine log 
left in Newfield Edy more which he was to bring down and rect for he is 
to give us the half in Newbury port and sell oiir part for us and to give us 
order to draw our pay 

In this month we divided the boards we had sawed at Goffes mill with 
Joseph Goffe and paid Boards for the 315 feet of plank we borrowed from 
him fall was a year to lay our tyiip floor 

1()"' I was employed by Isaac Riddle to measure off land of Samuel 
Moors to satisfy an Execution I swore the apprizers but we did not finish 
my fees was 3/ 

25"' I was on the same business for Riddel and finished my fee was (3/ 

28 and 29"' I went to Samuel Goffes in Goffestown and Run lines and 
Measured land for him my wages 12/ for him to pay and I Reed a nine 
dollar continental seciu'ity from Capt Tim" Eaton 

MAY 1st 

I sowed almost 1)2 bushel of Rie and a little more than '.j bushel of 
Barly at the old place 

In the fore part of this mouth I paid josiah Gordon ] 250 feet of Boards 
for 19/8 his father paid of my Rates to Rob^ Mathes 

12"' we got Widow McAllesters horse and Alex"^ went to Deacon Dins- 
moors in Windham to see to get money to pay Tho" Boies he got home 
next day 

13"' I went to Tho** Wicoms and Run lines for him of the lott he lives 
on and David got home fr(jm Alexandria with the flom- of 4 bushels of 
wheat he got for his keeping school there hist winter 

14"' David went to Esqr Walkers to see to get money he sent m*^ a 
Guinea toward what he owes me 

15"' I went to Amherst according to appointment with Tho" Boies and I 
gave Deacon Diusmoors note to Esqr Prentice which with its lutrest 
(^ame to 5-4-0 and I gave him the Guinea Esqr Walker sent me made 
H-12-0 and endorsed that sum on my note to Boies and on Boies note to 
Prentice my expenccs was a pisteret^n which I paid of james money 



542 MATTHEW patten's DIAUY. 

20*'^ I went to Amherst to assist Alex'^ Gregg at the Probate court but it 
(lid not sit niv expences was 5 pence 

21"* I went to Wicoms and finished Rnuiug the lines of the lott he lives 
on my charge for Riming and a plan is 12/ yesterday and today we had 
Joseph Pattens four oxen to plow for us 

26"^ we had james McLaughlin all day and Ezeld Gardner the afternoon 
helping us plant corn which is the fii'st we planted this spring we planted 
four bushels of potatoes at the old place today and the afternoon we had 
one of W'" Bodwells oxen and put with our Stard ox and hal.d out 
Dung and others of lis planted Bodwell had our ox to work for him 
l)efore 

2T^^ Simeon Chubbuck helped us and we hald dung and got all the 
Dung out from the end of the barn and the most of it laid and planted 
some potatoes 

28'-^ we finished planting corn and potatoes ourselves 

29'!^ David workd for W" Bodwell and Alex'' workd for John McLaugh- 
lin for his james helping us the 26th and almost all night 

30*^ I went to the falls in the afternoon but I catched no fish and as I 
came home W"' Parker gave me shad and lent me another 

JUNE 2d 

was a training and I swore two of our Selectmen to two Returns to the 
General Court I left it to them to give an .order for it for what they see fit 

3<i job Holbrook came here yesterday and today I let him have our Oxen 
at eleven pounds and my wife let him have 5)2 yards of linin cloath at 2/6 
pr yard came to 13/9 Reduced what I owed him for the lott of land to 
6-6-0 for which I gave him a new note on Intrest and I went to the falls 
in the afternoon but got no fish 

4th I got a bushel of our own corn and a bushel and about 12 quarts of 
Rie (being all the Rie we had) ground and had W'" Bodwells mare to 
carrie it to mill and I drawed an order to Rob' Mathes on the County 
Treasurer for 1-4-0 for the year 1786 we fished chiefly uutill the 14th we 
got about 300 Eels and about 120 £ of salmon and not more than about 15 
or therabouts but am uncertain of the number 

16"! I went to Weare to William Rogers and with Esqr , Filbrick took 
5 Depositions in perpetuam concerning apair of Cotton Stockings his 
daughter Hannah had Stolen from her and I lodged there over night 

17*^ I came home by way of Newboston on acct of Alex'" Gregg 

18"^ in the morning was a large shower attended with thunder being 
the first Rain we have had of any quantity for a considerable time 

Several things omitted in this month 

JULY 1st 

My David set out down Country to find Employ 

8*'' I set out for Antrim to hold a Court with Nenian Aiken and David 
Starret Esqr concerning the maintenance of Phillip bailey at the Request 
<jf the Selectmen of Antrim and I lodged at Esqr Sterrets 



]MATT1IEW patten's DFAnV. 543 

!'"' Avc went to Capt Nichols in Antrim and was on the business 
10"' we finished and I came to Alexi" Greggs in Bearing and lodged 
rhere 

11"^ Alex'' Gregg gave me a bnshel of Rie and ground it for my repair- 
ing his Surveying compass I made no charge of it and I hot a pound of Tea 

at Starks and a Pound of Chalk for which I paid 2/10 and came home 
\ 

Among the Pattern papers was found manuscript which reads as follows: 

October & November, 1798 

30"' I went to Deering to assist to apprize the estate of Benjamin Dow 
Deed and set off the widows dower james Neasmith Daniel Gould and 
Tho: Wallace Jr laid up wall had of J S Riddel 1 quart W: I: rum 

31** we were attended by Jno McLaughlin of Deering, who sold land ti) 
Dow he shewd us bounds which he said were the bounds of the land he 
had deeded to Dow. We measui-ed the same and I made a plan thereof. 
It contains 297 acres. 

James Neasmith Daniel Gould & Tho^ Wallace Juur laid up wall had 
Doctor Wallaces oxen got a <iuart Of W: I: Rum of J S Riddle 

NOVEMBER 

!•*' we set off W'' Hannah Dows dower and apprized the personal estate 
that was at Deering came to Mr Dickermans in Francistown and tarried 
over night. Amos Gardner, Daniel Gould Smith Campbell (in Goulds 
service) and Tho'' Wallace Jr laid up wall got a quart of W: I: rum of J. S. 
Riddel It fell about 2 inches of snow in the evening 

2<^ I came home from Francistown a little before night. Tho« Wallace 
Jr dug stone for wall 

S"! In the forenoon Tho-* Wallace Jr and I dug stone for wall, in tlu; 
afternoon we carted out a load of dung it came on rain and prevented us 
from work 

4"' Sunday 

5"' I attended W'' dows Dows to apprize the remainder of the estate, Mr 
Voso being unwell we did not finish Tho" Wallace Jr and Jesse carted 
muck 

()"' I brot my calves from E])en Frenches pd him a Dollar toward their 
k(H'.ping am to pay him half a dcjllar more 

7"' got a cart wheel from Jas Walker carted muck 

s'h laid wall 

9'^ laid wall had Robert Lincoln to help us 

10"' I workt at highways with cart & oxen 

11"' Sunday 

12"' Killed the Dracut cow Beaf & hide 343 lb killed the hog that be- 
longed to Alex'' weight 129 lb Pat. McLaughlin helped me 

13"' I surveyd for Silas Robi(^ charge l^o bushel of rye. Jesse with 
oxen and cart helped Pat. McLaughlin draw stones for liis well 

14"' I borrowd one bushel of rye of Mr. French had it gi'ound at Jno 
Boies mill sent Jesse to Chandlers and got ^4 Gallon molasses & a peck of 



544 :\IATTHEW FATTEN".S DIAKY. 

Salt. I went to cS; helped Jiio Burns better than half the day laying his 
barn floor 

15^'^ Thankfigiviug day. I went to Col Moors and he signed a rect of 
having reed a deed to his sou juo which was lodged in my hand 

16"' .took out door dung and dug some stone 

17"' In the forenoon run the S line of No. 1 in the 7th range 

18'^ Sunday. Rev. Brown preached in this Town 

19"' Mended the barn 

20"' Sani^ Gordon came home from Pepperhill with my mare he went 
away on Saturday last 

2P' I went to Col. McGregores on account of the direct Tax bot an 
Almanc at Riddels for which I pd S 

22^1 Dan^ Lincoln helped me kill two swine got Yz bushel salt at Riddles 

24"' I went to jno Boies and wrote a deed from him to Lt Sam' Vose of 
the east end of his farm wrote a deed from sd Sam' to his son Roger of '.t 
thereof took the acknowledgement reed 69 

25"' Sunday 

26"' Drew a log to Maj Goffes mill 

27"' I workd for Christopher Rice helping to board his barn .settled with 
Thomas Wallace about this time gave him a note for 5''. OT' 

28'-'' jos Bell shod my oxen with new shoes took the ackno-sv^ledgement < >f 
a power of attorney from Jesse Richardson of Newport to Matthew Rich- 
ardson of Goffstown 

29"' being appointed one the assistant assessors of the Continental direct 
Tax in No. 7 I attended at Col. McGregores with Esq Page Esq Clark and 
Jno Gilcrest to be qualified and instructed for taking the valuation. 
Reed of the Col. 25 blank .sheets of letter A & 20 Do of letter B 

APRIL 1799 

2:3'' I di'ew Margt Pattens will. She bestowed on me Cotton and linen 
(;loth for a paii- of shirt, a large white punch bowl and one dollar and 1 2c 
in money which I had borrowed of her 

MAY 

Many things omitted which ought to have been entered in day book 

26"' Margt Patten died of the consumption and on the 27th was buried 

30"' I went to Lt Sam" Yoses and flrew his Will for whicli he paid me a 
dollar 

Mare foaled 

JUNE 

7"' Lt Sam'^ Yose died 

I took my mare to Dr. (rooch-idges hor.se. am to give hini a dollar if shr 
take him no more if otherwise I am to give him 2 dollars for the season 

9"' Lt Sam" Yose was buried 

10"' drew Comp' & Wart jane Wallace vs Levi Gage — swore her to the 
Compt pd jno Burns 2.00 of Hannah Pattens money 

11"' went to Goffstown and siu'veyed 50 acres of land of the N end of 
jno Orr W lot of his farm charged a dollar Alex finished planting today 



MATTHEW patten's DIAKY. 545 

12*'^ I waited on William Wallace and Levi Gage at our house about two 
thirds of the day Wallace appeared iu behalf of his daughter jaue agreed 
to take a hundred dollars & support her child till it was seven years old. 
Lt Burns drew the notes to Wallace, and I drew a bond from Wallace to 
Gage for his performance took the acknowledgement. Then went to the 
little meadow & fell three oak trees for staves drew the fourth Vol of Jose- 
phus History out of the Library 

13'^^ I workd for John Burns splitting heading & staves 
14*'* I hoed for josh Gordon jesse hoed for Dr Wallace 
17"^ drew my Joyce to the river had 1241 feet Joseph Patten surveyed 
then to Lt Jno Riddel copied Marg Patten's will 

18"* went to the probate court at Amherst and had the will proved 
Stephen & William French Jrs witnesses Fees $3.86 

Expences .35 
19"^ jno Wallace hoed for me in return for Jesse on the 14th Isaac Lin- 
coln hoed for me 

24th aud 25th j fished at Amoskeig caught 300 Eels 
26th helped Mr French raise his barn at Robt Lincolns 
27th josiah Gordon helped me hoe corn the second time 
29th Jesse and I hoed for josiah Gordon 

30th Jesse helped josh Gordon the forenoon I Surveyed for Lt Aiken & 
W'" Riddle divided the Burns land at the Morril hill wrote a deed from sd 
Aiken to sd Riddle of the N half of sd land took the acknowledgement 
Aiken pd me .84 Lt Riddle pd me $5.00 toward my Joyce afterwards sd 
Riddle paid me a dollar 

JULY 

8th surveyed for Tinio Dustin & jno Dickey in Derryfd the land he sold 
to W™ Farmer drew a deed from each of them to sd Farmer and a mort- 
gage deed from Sam P Kidder of his Farmer land to sd Dustin took the 
acknowledgements charged $2.00 which they paid Phillip Haseltine paid 
me a dollar he owed me for surveying in 1797 

9th I paid Thomas Campbell a dollar which he agreed should be in full 
of all accounts against me 

IQth llth & 12th got the hay at the ministerial land had 1 Ton & 4-5 had 
% gal N : R : at Mr Riddels 

15th Forenoon helped josh Gordon mow at the West Parish proved 
stormy in the afternoon went to the Canal bot 2 bushels rie of Mr Kidder 
pd 2.00 

16th mowed for josh Gordon at the West parish 

22*1 Robt Lincoln cut the english hay on my mothers Thirds put 36c for 
her into the Barn he had 18 

23'^ In the afternoon I changed works with Mr French and he sent 
Daniel Lincoln to reap for me whi(4i he finished the 25th toward night 
and I workd for Mr French the whilst 

26th -went with Hugh McQueston to Col McGregores McGregore dis- 
counted 6.34 out of what the estate owes him took jotham Stearns pay- 
master which pd my part of the Gould Execution Reed the same on the 
Execution 



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